Urgent help required!

[knackeredMk1]

Have you taken out the swing arm bolt?

[kingoftheswing]

Yes, all the mounting bolts are out

[knackeredMk1]

Should just slide out of mountings and twist ..........

Might be a little rusted - tap it with a rubber mallet in places that look appropriate.

[kingoftheswing]

It is completely loose, just couldn't wiggle it out. I will try again tomorrow as I lost interest for today.

Will keep you all posted.

[kingoftheswing]

I have got the engine out today. One of my mates knows a good welder, I am going to take the engine to him whole and see if he can weld the bits back together, get the thread re-tapped and see if it will hold.

Is there any sealant I could use around the bolt in case it doesn't quite seal properly, something that I could top up when I have to change the oil? Maybe like a silicone type sealant?

[clint]

I'm sure if it was ground back flat (the surface that meets the bolt) it would be fine with a fresh copper crush washer. I'd be inclined to to try and find as thick of a crush washer I could.

[kingoftheswing]

If that is possible, there won't be much thread for the bolt to screw on to. I would be worried about it dropping out.

I am toying with the idea of getting the hole completely welded shut then draining the oil by slackening the clutch casing. Would this be an option?

[knackeredMk1]

Clint - It looks like the remaining thread is too rounded off for this?

How about levelling it off and rethreading to a larger bore sump bolt diameter?

[kingoftheswing]

I will speak with a fabricator this week and see what we can come up with. I will keep you posted.

[kingoftheswing]

I have spoken with a chap today that has done a few of these sort of jobs before. I think I'm going to get the bolt welded in place then drain oil through the clutch casing.

Any got any advice on this plan of action?

[clint]

I don't think that's a good idea as you won't get the old oil out easily. I think if you was doing that then follow FMTB's advice/idea. Drill and tap the drain plug then drain through there (new smaller bolt in the freshly tapped hole inside drain plug). 1 issue I see there that I'm not too sure about is welding steel to aluminum? Is this possible?

[kingoftheswing]

Hmmmm.... I suppose I could get a piece of aluminium welded over the hole and then drill through that to make a new hole.

I imagine I would have to split the crank cases for that though or run the risk of having bits of metal left inside with the oil. Unless they would be small enough that it wouldn't effect it.

The guy goes in holiday Thursday so I need to make up my mind quickly if I want to have it back together for this weekend.

[longmoreuk]

Will a helicoil not work?

[kingoftheswing]

No, I am taking it to a welder in the morning though to see what we can do. I will update tomorrow.