new to me 1970 Johnson 25hp tiller short shaft. locked up

[tphoyt]

How are the cylinder walls? Can you get by with just honing them? If so try welding a nut to the broken head bolt to remove it. Just set a good fitting nut over the bolt and weld the inside of the nut to the broken bolt. The heat created will aid in the removal as well.

 

[Roadking57]

im located near Atlanta Georgia. the headbolt is flush with the block.

 

[tphoyt]

It’s ok that’s it flush.
You would only weld the inside of the nut to the broken bolt basically making it a bolt again. It works well and as I say the heat from welding helps with removal.

 

[racerone]

Use the cylinder head as a drill guide.----Use a steel tube in the hole with the broken bolt as a drill guide.----Done.

 

[tphoyt]

I’ll be adding that one to my bag of tricks.

 

[Roadking57]

So far two automotive and one full service machine shop have turned me down :-( Looks like I need to open up a small engine machine shop. Prob have more business than I could handle.

 

[racerone]

You do not want to use the head as a drilling fixture ???------There is a reason shops say -----NO -------It usually takes too long to set up and do the work.------It would be far cheaper to find a used block / parts motor.-----Shops do not need a customer howling at the cost of a 5 minute ( usually turns into 1 hr ) job.------They are busy enough with big jobs where there is no complaint.-----Look for a used block.------Lots were made sold over many years. -----Plentiful in my area.

 

[tphoyt]

You need to ask around and find someone with a home shop to help you out.
Nobody wants to be bothered with the small projects anymore It’s sad!
Not that it helps you any but in my area there is an ol timer he’s 87 still running a shop in his garage and is a busy guy. Or there’s Racerones almost flawless plan to use the head as a guide Those stainless bolts are soft and drill easy you can do this just go for.
Best

 

[Roadking57]

Got an independent shop to remove the bolts and glass bead blast the block and water passages! He don't have a boring machine that small but He agrees with me that the cylinders look ok just need a stone honing to remove slight rusting and a set of new rings should be good to go!

racerone I liked your idea the best but I'm not setup for doing that easily as maybe you are. Last resort yes I would have tackled it with my cordless as best I could. I do have drill guides and taps.

Anyway it will be ready for pickup next week. I will post pictures when I get it back! Now I just need to finish cleaning up the parts I'm reusing and get some gasket kits and parts ordered.

 

[Roadking57]

Question for racerone, Is it okay to glass bead or sandblast the pistons and ring grooves? The original rings are stuck bigtime. Got one out in 1 inch pieces. There is some scoring on the sides of them as well. Currently soaking the top ring with penetrating oil to see if it will come out easier. I removed the snap rings and the wrist pin came out the loose end no problem with slight tapping. was surprized to see mine have snap rings instead of circlips.

 

[racerone]

Use boiling water on the piston.-----Use plastic end of screwdriver to ---tap, tap ,tap on the rings.-----That often gets them loose.-----Use broken end of rings to clean grooves.-----Boiling water also makes it easier to remove / install wrist pins.

 

[Roadking57]

Okay I boiled the pistons. No help. How long shud I boil? I only did that about 5 mins.

 

[racerone]

You put some hot water on the pistons.-----The piston heat up .----The ring groove gets a wee bit wider.-----Then with tapping the rings they may come loose.----Some might argue , I have done this many times with success.----Noted the condition of the pistons.-----I think those pistons and rings are SCRAP.

 

[Roadking57]

eh the picture dont do them any favors for sure. There is light scratching on them but can hardly feel any of it. Not all way around either. I'm looking for a website that has them. Like others on here I tried to order but when I click on to order the delivery date is 2026. Nope. I'll have to call around. Haven't got the block back yet either

 

[racerone]

Your location ??

 

[Roadking57]

I know this is a long thread but back on post 42 I am south of Atlanta Ga.

 

[racerone]

Find some pistons on E-bay.-----Should be lots listed.

 

[Roadking57]

not as plentiful as you may think

 

[flyingscott]

not as plentiful as you may think

qwik google search showed a place with 10+ standard pistons in stock

 

[Roadking57]

qwik google search showed a place with 10+ standard pistons in stock

yes until you click order, then 2 places I tried showed 2026 delivery!!!