Ah the joys of buying blind.......Just received a 84 500AE to restore. Pulled the engine down and discovered some genius decided to use threaded rod for cylinder studs instead of proper studs. When they tightened the head they turned the studs and drove them through the bottom of the casting busting out into the magneto space
Lesson - never use threaded rod as there is nothing to stop it turning and bottoming out in the blind hole - use correct studs i.e round bar with tapped ends!
I need to check if the con rod is usable. Radial movement much less than 0.1mm. Sideways rocking movement measured at top of rod is 1.7mm. Does this sound usable? Replacement rods are rare as rocking horse shit and expensive. I have a NOS source at $430 + shipping. Recon source at $370 + shipping.
Does anyone had a workshop manual for the 500 auto?
Here are some photos of the busted thread and the cracked adjacent one. Is it worth attempting a repair (belzona?) or just leave alone. Welding would be asking for trouble. I guess there is enough thread left to secure the barrel and head.
