Aye to you All,
There are 4 leverage points on the two halves of the tank, but after removing all 14 cap screws, the halves were reluctant to move. There is chancing your arm and b****y daft!
These tanks, bare, are £280+, on back order, + VAT!
So, after blocking the lower oil pipe orifice and replacing the drain plug, the old roller bearings from the Bros head races (previous 'Little job') were popped in and ½ pint paraffin was sloshed about for a wee while. Removed the plug and bung and the 'Torry Canyon' flowed out!
Another 2 applications of this treatment and things were running clearer, but not clean.
So, slaughterhouse degreaser and paraffin mix, with bearings went in, followed by boiling water and more agitation, this appeared to have the desired effect and there were less 'black bits' this time. Now for the 'coup de grace', phosphoric/hydrochloric acid solution on its own, with agitation, without bearings for two minutes, by which time the chemical reaction was warming the castings!
Full PPC including a face mask for this job. Then a flush with a jet of running water from the garden hose via the dipstick hole. This has purged all the c**p and left the internals cleaner than the outside. A gentle heat on the hot plate to dry out all the water, followed after cooling, with a final swill around with brake cleaner and its ready to go!
Trouble is; there is movement in the bowels of the motor where movement shouldn't be!
Single burst of expletives, then 'cest la vie', a wee conversation and I suspect a disemboweling later on today. Deep joy!
Caveat emptor as I am often seen to quote!
My thanks and regards to you All, Bill
