1957 3hp Lightwin

[1stgenbird]

I picked up a '57 Lightwin model 3022 for $10 today. Seller advertised it for $75 on c-list but when I got there found out it was seized so offered him a sawbuck. Cosmetically looks quite good but needs the usual coils, points, wires, carb rebuild, impeller. Lower unit is dry too, no oil came out when I removed the drain screw.

Seller said he bought it from a collector years ago and put it in his basement and never got around to using it.

First thing is to get it freed up. What's the best thing to put in the cylinders in an attempt to do so? I was thinking Marvel Mystery Oil or Seafoam. Anything better?
How long would it take?

Any advice would be appreciated.

It will make a good companion to my '57 Fastwin if I can get it going.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Lucky you.
I would remove the cylinder head and take a good look, might be able to clean some corrosion out before applying oil. I would use any good penitraiting oil, let it set for awhile, and maybe use a wood 2x2 and tap on top of the piston LIGHTLY and see if it will break loose. You could then use some emory cloth to try and clean up the cylinders a little more. Good luck.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Good advice. I second that. Awesome little motors. It's probably stuck from sitting, unless it fell overboard.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

I use a 50/50 mixture of acetone and ATF.

If it is lightly seized from sitting, you may get lucky. If it is rusted from sitting with water intrusion, the power head will need to be dissasembled and rebuilt. If not it is only a matter of time.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Thanks for the advice. Off comes the head and maybe I'll get lucky.

Here is the little stinker.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Man, I wish I could find deals like that. Your'e gonna love it when you get it going.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

I had some time today so I removed the head. The cylinders didn't look too bad so I sprayed some carb cleaner in them to break up the carbon, wiped them off, blew them out with some air, put in a little Mystery Oil, tapped each piston with a screwdriver handle, pulled the rope and they freed right up.
Moved on to the lower unit and flushed it out using some fresh lube, filled it up with clean hypoid oil and all looks good down there.
I just ordered a new head gasket, new coils, impeller, carb kit, and tune up kit on iBoats and I should have this running in no time.
Although the motor only cost me $10.00, I'll have about $100 into it when I'm done. Still not bad.

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

dont you love it when that happens ??? gotta love an only slightly stuck engine they come SO cheap
looks like its gonna be a nice motor i love the '57's and the 56's( ive got two 56's)
not bad at all ... did you check the compression once it freed up?

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Wow - I ran all over our lake when I was a kid with one of those little motors. Beyond just being a good engine, they're so good lookin'. Enjoy!

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Once I get the head put back on I will. Cylinders walls were very clean with minimal carbon buildup so I expect the compression to be just fine.

 

[Mas]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Nice motor!

Mas

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Thanks Mas.

I see that you had a similar find with the Lark.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

Yea, I missed out on one of those yesterday.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

I wondered why almost every 3hp I see has dented tanks. Now I know. This motor is so lightweight that when it is laying on the ground on the front or rear, just a slight jostle causes it to fall over. Also, just the nature of these little guys, folks just hauled them in and out of car trunks or the backs of station wagons.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 3hp Lightwin

yep, they they drive like they stole it