Tools required to dismantle small diesel engines.

Hi!
I'm playing about with some old diesel engines that are in need of a bit of love and attention, Merlin, Sabre and the like, all under 2.5cc.
I am having difficulty dismantling some of them, particularly the prop driver and backplate.
I have used some rather agricultural methods, like vice and hammer for the prop driver and coins or metal strip for the backplates, with very limited success.
Are there special tools available which would make these jobs a lot easier?
Any suggestions, advice or links to the appropriate tools would be much appreciated.
Thank you in advance, for any help you can offer.

box.

Hi Box, it's been a while. I've heard a number of ways, prolonged soaking in warm soapy water, warming for a few hours in a warm oven to name a few. I like soaking in paraffin myself. Old castor oil sets like glue, soaking in meths might work. As for tools, I think you'll have to make for yourself.

As Klippy put - Old (burned) castor makes a very good glue, rather like varnish.
I've heard a good soak in petrol will soften it - eventually!
Combining petrol and heat is NOT a good idea - it might separate more than the engine parts!

Box
My only comment is to use tools that apply any force accurately and securely to loosen a part.
You may have to apply quite a bit of oomph! and remember much of the engine is aluminium or very accurately machined steel. A misapplied force can wreck an engine.  

Thanks for your suggestions guys. I will try some of them out.
Thank you.

box.

Hi box!

The tool you need for removing prop driver can be found here on Ebay:
Two Jaw Gear Pulley Bearing Puller Remover Tool 2.5" Adjustable Clamping Depth 714367576589 | eBay

Regarding the backplates, Tony at PAW says the tool they use, is a broken power hacksaw blade with the radius ground on one end, this is held in a vice and the engine rotated counter clockwise to undo. 

Hope this helps, all the best, DP.

 

Awesome, thanks Del

Thanks DP, that's great.
These should make my life a lot easier.
Much appreciated.

box.

This thread talks about tools.  In my recent visit to Klippy I encountered his vast collection of RC related tools. I took notes and ordered some myself.  In the image there is:
a prop reamer, some rather nice small clamps, some taping drills
In terms of adhesives Tony's preference for Araldite - has a very long working time, and I saw him working with some medium CA glues and I found what I hope are some longer curing CA glues.  And for wood he got me into aliphatic glue and I found one of them.
I am starting to use these and I am glad he pointed them out to me.

Perhaps others might comment on their favourite tools?

 
 

jon
That looks fine.
About the only thing I could add is several very sharp knives!

As far as tools in general go I am lucky that my dad was a serious model engineer. My sister was not interested so I inherited the lot (including a lathe, milling machine and heavy duty work benches he made) to add to my own more modest collection.

With a twinkle in his eye my dad had two sayings "At least one of everything and if not then make it" and "The impossible we do at once, miracles take a bit longer". 
 

A 24" steel rule - good for measuring things AND cutting straight lines.
Some set-squares.
Lots of small spring-loaded clips - for holding small pieces together, or sheet wood to strip.
I prefer PVA glue for wood. Aliphatic is nice, but sets rock hard, so if you've got any runs that squirted out, and didn't remove there and then, you've got a job getting them off once they dry. PVA goes rubbery for a while, so you can trim it with the sharp knife you haven't bought yet!
UHU Por for sticking things to foam.
Canopy glue for clear canopies to wood. (Cyano can fog the clear, and epoxy tends to go yellow).
Razor saw. (Like a miniature tenon (or back) saw).
Epoxy glue for stress joints. It's available in 4 minute, 20 minute, or a few hours timing. Bear in mind that epoxy is heavy, as it is a chemical reaction. PVA etc is water-based, so when the water evaporates off, the result is a lot lighter.
Lots of lolly sticks/coffee stirrers etc - for mixing epoxy. Use the stick once then discard it.
A pin-punch can be useful (looks like a hollow-tip screwdriver or centre-pop) saves stabbing your fingers when you push pins into stubborn bits!

You'll find loads more odds and ends - eventually, like zig-zag bend pliers, ball-joint pliers, wire cutters, jewellers screwdrivers, a contraption called 'helping hands' - a heavy stand with an upright, with several 'bendy arms' off, bearing croc clips and a magnifying lens.
The list goes on and on, and you sometimes find a 'gadget' that does something that you have struggled to do, before, and makes you wonder why you hadn't seen it earlier!


 

A bag of `clothes begs for holding things together, and Kavan modelling pins, no stabbed fingers and they are very thin

I have a 24" and a 36" rule and lots of very sharp knives. 

The pin pushing helper is a brilliant idea - must have a look!

Great ideas all around.

If you can't find a pin-pusher have a look in the model railway shops for a track-pin pusher! There are two or three 'bore' diameters available.