Manky Monkey Motors

hey everyone I recently bought a frame of eBay and the seller recommended this site

This is what it looked like originally
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad138/chris_dude1/20131013_162214_resized-1.jpg) (http://s929.photobucket.com/user/chris_dude1/media/20131013_162214_resized-1.jpg.html)

This is where Ive gotten to with the frame
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad138/chris_dude1/20131109_161041_resized.jpg) (http://s929.photobucket.com/user/chris_dude1/media/20131109_161041_resized.jpg.html)

im currently working on stripping and rebuilding a 998cc A series engine

Welcome to Manky Madness chris_dude1
Unusual frame. Be nice to see this progress.

Hi and welcome

I take it the trike is metro/mini based not seen many like that lately

its a mini sub frame at the back so works off standard mini running gear, I haven't got a clue what the front end is but I may change that,

the next job is to sort the engine as it is seized once I work out how to get the last 2 pistons out ill clean and reassemble it then install it,

once the engine is in ill work out seating as im not sure if Its a 1 or 2 seater

haven't decided where to put the tank yet im tempted to put a cylinder tank in the middle of the frame or just a normal tank on the top

soo many decisions

im thinking of cutting the foot bar off the front and attaching a type of pillion peg as im going automatic im going to have all the brakes off the handle bars

Hi and welcome to the Mankyness  :)
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Welcome to the forum. Try soaking the seized pistons with acetone and atf fluid 50/50 mix pour some in thre bores and let it soak

ill get some acetone and atf (automatic transmission fluid yea?) tomorrow and let it soak for a while

Yes. dont need a lot

or ,coke a cola,   ;) ;) (full fat )

Welcome Chris. The extra triangulation looks worthwhile. Looking forward to seeing this develop.

before adding the extra pipework there was a fair bit of flex in the frame now its solid no flex at all even with me and my mate jumping on it

I also added the plates to either side of the neck tube and the big plate to the bit at the centre where there are a lot of tubes joining

(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad138/chris_dude1/20131013_162228_resized-1.jpg) (http://s929.photobucket.com/user/chris_dude1/media/20131013_162228_resized-1.jpg.html)
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad138/chris_dude1/20131109_161153_resized_1.jpg) (http://s929.photobucket.com/user/chris_dude1/media/20131109_161153_resized_1.jpg.html)

ive got the acetone local chemists ordered me in a bottle and the atf its all mixed up and soaking in the bores

Sooooo

Acetone and atf didn't work
heat didn't work
Gentle tapping didn't work
soaking in every lube I could think off didn't work

soo we resorted to smashing it which got them moving but also broke them so looks like I need another engine the cost of pistons is more than the engine is worth  >:(

What did you break, the pistons? If so, how many ?

2 pistons are out and ok
1 piston is cracked that im going to cut out today
1 is very dented ill cut out aswell

depending on the state of the bore to what I end up doing from

what I can see where its moved from the bores look fine just very slight rust that cleaned off the other cylinders perfectly with very fine wire wool

 Surprised that you managed to break the pistons. I've freed engines up that haven't turned for over 20 years using the soak it and thump it method. Suggests to me, that perhaps the engine seized while running. Are the crank and gearbox ok.

You are using something soft (like a block of wood) to transfer the force from the hammer to the piston head?

Get a running engine god knows what else could be wrong , is it the rear cylinder that seized?

Got them out at last it was very very stuck but surprisingly the bores are perfect just a little surface rust that cleans off nicely with a light going over with wire wool crank is good no wear at all the shells look perfect the is hardly and marks on them

I did start with using a block of wood that didn't work then I used a massive socked the size of the piston and a hammer which was working till the head fell off my hammer then I used a club hammer that worked

when I bought it the original head was missing and it came with a different one on stripping it down there was mayonnaise (oil + water) in the gearbox which is under the engine I assume the head gasket went and they didn't bother fixing it

ive got some new rings and some second hand pistons coming in a couple of days then I can start reassembling it

steve, dont think transverse engines have a rear cylinder ::) :)

 :D

which was working till the head fell off my hammer

-sorry, don't know why I find that so amusing!

out of interest how much fuel do your petrol tanks hold?

im thinking of putting the tank inside the frame and possibly using an old fire extinguisher for the tank but these are only about 9L

I don't think a 998 mini is that thirsty on fuel but It would be nice to atleast get from south London to brighton on 1 tank of fuel

9L = 2 Gallon. So might be a bit small. Trikes may be lighter but generally have the aerodynamic qualities of a horse and cart so don't expect better MPG than the base vehicle.

yea I thought 2gallon was a bit small

the frame is really small once I started working out where to put things might have to wait until the engine is in then hide a tank back there somewhere

My last Reliant engine trike had a 2 1/2 gallon Sportster tank, which gave me a range of about 100 miles. I found that was just about right -by then I needed to get off & stretch my legs for 5 minutes anyway.

done a couple of hours on the engine today got the crank back in then fitted the pistons, it spins over nicely, next job is to set the timing and reassemble the pile of bits on the garage floor

 :o  I'm sure that you meant to say - reassemble the cleaned, inspected, sorted, labelled, oiled and boxed components,  ;D ;D ;D

yea labelled pile of bits on the floor, some bits are even in bags I nicked from the kitchen (wonder how long till someone notices there missing)

isn,t that a 1275/1300 block ?

Chris, please accept this advice in the manner offered, a little less red paint, and a little more attention to the clean up of components, studs, & gasket faces will pay greater dividends. Get the plot up on a temporary bench, if nothing else, a couple of sleepers on concrete blocks maybe? anyway, like I say, maybe you should prioritise a little more? sorry, but I felt it had to be said for your own well being :P :P :P :P :P.................Morrag

its a 998

it is on a workbench once it was light enough to actually lift it and has actually been cleaned ALOT since those pictures where taken  :P

and get yourself a good quality sealer/instant gasket,don't rely on gaskets alone as they often leak on an a series...i rallied one for a few years,its a pain to have to strip it down again just to fix a leak because of a poor quality gasket

Chris.
Before you spent a lot time and effort on the engine and gearbox are you sure that the frame is suitable. I know that you have added plates and bracing but after looking carefully at your pics, the original construction gives me some cause for concern.
I really do not wish to seem negative, just want you to end up with a good safe trike.

ive got loads of instant gasket as I don't trust the paper gaskets very much

where do you think the frame needs work?