upside down?

[ygmir]

Hi all,
I'm wondering if I need to remove the engine and/or t-20 from my Hustler before flipping it to work on the bottom?
I understand the oil bypassing the rings thing, but, am wondering if there are any other issues with it being upside down?
Would/could it harm anything, maybe in the trans?
I can't think of what would go wrong, except for the above stated oil in cylinders, and, that can be addressed by removing the spark plugs and a short cranking......
draining the fuel tank.
Would I need to drain the trans? does it have a vent that would leak?

sorry if this is dumb, but, I'd rather think about it before doing this.
And, I'm guessing someone here has had thier machine upside down.......grin.......even on purpose.....grin again.......

thanks,
Henry

[racerone3]

as long as you drain the fuel and oil, i don't see any problems. you might want to remove the battery as well.

[ygmir]

yeah, the battery for sure, I thought that, just, forgot to say it........thanks.
how about the trans issues?
HEnry

[LarryW]

Other then maybe leaking from a vent, I dont see anything else that could go wrong. If I am not mistaking I believe there are vented and non vented T20's but maybe that was a mod.

[Mike]

Your vent on the T20 should be built into the upper fill plug. You can either drain the fluid or just put a normal plug in there. Other than that, the T20 will be fine.

[ygmir]

thanks Mike,
I remember the vent in the upper plug, so, that should be easy enough......
and, It's probably due for an oil change, too......

I'll get some pics of it on it's lid.....
Maybe I can suspend it like in the unloading picks and spin it over the fire to heat the body for re-shaping and hole fixing? hahahaaha,
and, do the "BBQ Hustle (r)"? LOL.........
Adult beverage in hand, of course...........

someone stop me, I'm thinking I'm funny again.......

[ygmir]

well.....
it's on it's side, I'm working on it that way for now, I can't lift it alone to flip it on it's top. I got it on one side, but, that's it.....If I get help I'll set it that way.
But:
I started "welding" holes and cracks with an old fashioned big soldering iron. It works pretty good and, I'm developing a technique that seems good:
it's a pointed tip, 4 flat sides to a point.
so, I take the tip and melt a "v" groove along the crack and, then, lay one of the flat sides on the plastic and move back, folding and melting the sides into the middle. It seems pretty solid.
I also tried a filling technique, for the larger holes:
using the soldering iron, I melted around the sides and pulled some of the edges in until I had a thin layer of material over the hole, at least mostly. Then, cut some bigger pieces and welded them in. But, to finish, I used a propane soldering torch, fanning the flame like brazing. it worked neat! it made a fair puddle, and, smoothed the surface and ran into the low spots. When it cools, it's nice and smooth. you can run it just like brazing, melting the surface and the other material follows the puddle, to a point....to much heat and it sags or runs.....

Anyway, now I'm just looking for more material for filling and may even try welding the edges of an extra sheet as a sort of "skid plate".........

any input would be welcome, since, I'm learning as I go.

Henry

[hdble]

Hi Henry,
Sounds like your learning fast, show us some pics of your handywork, may give someone else some ideas how to fix theirs.

[ygmir]

good idea, hdble, I'll take some "action" photos........
Henry

[boncrshr]

Keep us posted, I'm pretty interested how this works out for you. I've got a few cracks in my upper half and engine cover that could use some attention.

As far as working upside down, I say just go ahead and tear the whole thing down...lots of work though...but the inside of your tub will NEVER be so clean...until you take it out for the first time! Although upside down would be the best way to drain the T-20.