TOPIC: Check this puppy out,...........

Finally got my hands on a complete 1956 Lark 30. Very cool looking little engine.

Good looking little base Bruce. With your touches it will look fantastic.

Congrats Bruce, nice find! Have you had a chance to check her over (mechanically) yet?

It was a fresh water engine from NW Oregon - but a family of mice made it into a hotel. Typical rodent damage - but nothing that a bead blaster won't take care of. First - thing, I took it to a car wash and completely washed the inside hood and powerhead. Better to di it that way - as you don't bring the nasty stuff into your own yard.

Once home, I sprayed the entire powerhead with a heavy coat of WD40 to slow down the corrosive process. I removed the spark plugs and did a dry compression test with the pull starter. 105 lbs compression. WOW! Doing the test dry is the only way to really know if the rings are good or not. Adding oil before a test usually gives a false reading, as the oil helps seal bad rings for the test. I then put fogging oil in the cylinders and put a bunch down the carburator throat while pulling it over. This helps to coat the internal parts. After this, I tried the electric starter & it worked like a champ. No spark, but I didn't expect it to have any. For now, this motor will just be put away to preserve it. I'll restore it at some point.

JUST as a FYI - If you find an engine that's been sitting for a long time, don't crank it with the electric starter until the engine internals have been lubricated properly. Spray light oil of some kind into the cylinders and into the carb(S) while pulling the hand starter, or using the electric starter. This will pull the oil mist into the crankcase and lube the internal surfaces with oil.

Sweet, nice find Bruce, congrats!

Bob