Splitting the case question

[craigmakes3]

I am a little nervous about splitting the case, it seems awfully stuck together. Would it make sense to turn the case so that the joint is vertical and then spray it with wd40, work it open that way? Or is it best to keep it so the joint is horizontal as though I am re-assembling it?

Any tips on what sort of tool to use to "gently" pry it open? Run a razor knife along the joint? very stiff metal putty knife?

thanks

[brighton911]

I would keep the cases in a horizontal position. WD is not likely to help as it is not corrosion that is holding them together but more likely the sealant. Make really sure you have all the cases bolts and nuts off. Two dome nuts in the cooler cavity and the nut in the chain case can get overlooked. There are some extended bosses on the cases near the part line that you can tap on with a urethane hammer to loosen the grip. Do not pry between the cases, it will do permanent damage to the sealing surface. Skip any brute force and go for patience and perseverance, they will win the day. Good luck

[toddu]

And make sure all case hardware is off. There are 1 or 2 sneaky ones (e.g. - where engine mounted cooler comes off).

Todd

(sorry, looks like I'm repeating previous post)

[craigmakes3]

i will continue to tap away…...

[Flat6pac]

Make sure you have the nut or two that face the opposite side on center line bottom and the one under the fan by itself.
The 17mm inside the left chain cavity.
Bruce

[Henry Schmidt]

When you're certain all the nuts and bolts holding the case together are removed, leave the engine in an upright position and smack on the engine stand. The impact will break the glue and the case will start to separate.







If you feel bad about bruising your engine stand, it's time to turn in your man card...lol

[SanDiegoMike]

+1 on Henry's comment. Just did mine and it worked like a charm.

[toddu]

Wish the yokes weren't $200+. :-)

Todd

[0396]

Originally Posted by Henry Schmidt

When you're certain all the nuts and bolts holding the case together are removed, leave the engine in an upright position and smack on the engine stand. The impact will break the glue and the case will start to separate.







If you feel bad about bruising your engine stand, it's time to turn in your man card...lol

Man card....what a way to start the day with a big smile. Thanks for the info. Best

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally Posted by 0396

Man card....what a way to start the day with a big smile. Thanks for the info. Best

What's the point if you can't help a fellow enthusiast and why not chuckle a little along the way.

[tom1394racing]

I had one once that was glued together. I had to run a MAP gas torch around the perimeter to melt the glue before the case would split.

[JFairman]

2 lb. Brass Hammer with Hickory Handle
Harbor Freight brass hammers are pretty good and on sale.
Mine will never have the experience and stories to tell that Henry's has

[jwasbury]

Sometimes the case is really stuck together and you need to take a different approach. This is what I had to deal with, and my solutions to the problem:

My case does not want to separate

[MTemp]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

Sometimes the case is really stuck together and you need to take a different approach. This is what I had to deal with, and my solutions to the problem:

My case does not want to separate

Well done Jacob,

I especially liked the case splitting tools of yours and the other poster. Engineering often triumphs over BFH as I tried (unsuccessfully) to convince some of my lead drillers in the GOM. I'll be keeping them in mind.

Mick

[irobertson]

While a tad unorthodox, this worked very well for me. I was just planning on putting a little stress on it then tapping with a hammer, but it just opened right up with surprisingly little force.

[AlfonsoR]

I would worry about putting too much of a side load on those long studs and possibly break the case.

I really like David's idea



That tool, plus a rubber mallet and maybe throw a little heat on top of that and you should be able to split almost any case.

[SCadaddle]

Non technical humor to follow:

I've got The Maestros' aka the Late Great Harry Pellow 356 engine disassembly/rebuild VHS tapes, all 6 of them, and in one episode Harry is going to split a 356 engine case with a BFH and a 2X4. He starts with light tapping and ends up just beating the hell out of the 2X4 to the point it splits into pieces flying across the room before the case is split. Rewinding the video he is hitting the case half mounted to the engine stand......then finally in the closing video he is running the newly rebuilt engine and begins to hear a loud squealing sound...he's checking the fan belt, the fan housing, all the usual suspects and finally shutting the engine down he realizes it is the smoke detector in his shop. Classic stuff!

[AlfonsoR]

"VHS" - what is that? Ha ha. Yes, classic stuff. :-)

[irobertson]

Originally Posted by AlfonsoR

I would worry about putting too much of a side load on those long studs and possibly break the case.

I really like David's idea

That tool, plus a rubber mallet and maybe throw a little heat on top of that and you should be able to split almost any case.

Agreed, you could easily damage things with the jack setup. I was only trying to preload things a bit, then give it a couple of taps. I got the jack snug between the wrenches and gave it one pump and the case separated. I barely felt any resistance, so I guess my case wasn't as stuck as I thought.

I do really like David's fabricated tool as well.

[304065]

I nominate this hammer as the "Pelican Cudgel of the Year" for 2014