Swapping engines

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

The 3/8"-drive 7/16" deep socket arrived today. As expected, its diameter is slightly too large to fit in the flange's notch. Not by very much, only a millimeter or so (see side-by-side comparison). A tungsten-carbide drum will grind down the outside circumference in short order. I also need to drill out the structure inside the socket (see photo) so the screwdriver can pass through. Speaking of which, the screwdriver on the left is about the minimum size necessary to hold the stud while the socket tightens the nut. It has to fit though the socket. The small screwdriver on the right is the largest that will fit through the 1/4"-drive socket, the one that LN says "will work." It won't.

Have you thought about griding off these edges of the screwdriver, or a similar throw-away screwdriver? Looks like you can reduce it by about 2mm on each side.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

Have you thought about griding off these edges of the screwdriver, or a similar throw-away screwdriver? Looks like you can reduce it by about 2mm on each side.

True, but you would still need a way to tighten the nut on the stud. The 1/4"-drive deep socket would also need modification to fit a larger screwdriver through it, but that socket belongs to LN's rental kit. I'm working on the 3/8"-drive socket now. I was overly optimistic in predicting the tungsten-carbide drum would grind it down to size "in short order." The steel is tough, so it's taking more time than I had figured on. But I'm making progress.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

True, but you would still need a way to tighten the nut on the stud. The 1/4"-drive deep socket would also need modification to fit a larger screwdriver through it, but that socket belongs to LN's rental kit. I'm working on the 3/8"-drive socket now. I was overly optimistic in predicting the tungsten-carbide drum would grind it down to size "in short order." The steel is tough, so it's taking more time than I had figured on. But I'm making progress.

You can use a set of vice-grips on the socket. You only need to tighten it enough so it doesn't spin when you put a torque wrench on it, right?

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

You can use a set of vice-grips on the socket. You only need to tighten it enough so it doesn't spin when you put a torque wrench on it, right?

Correct. The trick is to get it tight enough, and for that you need either a box-end wrench or socket that fits in the notch and on the nut.

[LoneWolfGal]

The 3/8"-drive socket will now fit in the notch and on the nut, I'm happy to report. It took a while to grind it down enough, and it wasn't easy. As I said, the steel is tough. Tough enough that an old drill bit I had wasn't up to the task of drilling out the hole for the screwdriver to go through. I'm going to knock off for tonight and hit it with a new bit tomorrow. In the meantime, here's my grinder setup. Note the quarter-inch high pile of steel particles on the paper towel. Needless to say, I wore a mask, nitrile gloves, and eye protection. The bottom photo is a comparison with the 1/4"-drive socket.

NOTE TO SELF: Get a bench grinder, for God's sake. This would have been the perfect application for one.

[piper6909]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

NOTE TO SELF: Get a bench grinder, for God's sake. This would have been the perfect application for one.
]

There are so many ways that could be done without a bench grinder.

You could use one of these to attach the socket to a drill and run it at high RPM over a stationary sheet of sandpaper, or a metal file, or even a grinding stone running in the opposite direction.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by piper6909

There are so many ways that could be done without a bench grinder.

You could use one of these to attach the socket to a drill and run it at high RPM over a stationary sheet of sandpaper, or a metal file, or even a grinding stone running in the opposite direction.

Good idea, Al. And it probably would have been easier than my improvised grinder. However, I had a very good reason for not going that route: I didn't think of it.

[LoneWolfGal]

I clicked the "Post Reply" button by mistake. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along...