NOS Clinton engine stuck?

[snakejeep]

I bought this Vintage 3 1/2 HP Clinton engine a while back.It's never had gas or oil
in it.Today,I got it out ,removed the plug and fogged the inside of the bore in preparation
for starting it.After squirting the cylinder with fogging oil,I tried to pull the recoil starter
and it wouldn't budge.This is probably a 50's or 60's engine and I'm thinking they didn't use a
flywheel brake on these older models.Does anybody have an idea how to determine if the
piston is froze.I looked into the spark plug hole with a light and as suspected it looks brand new,but
the rope starter will not move a fraction of an inch.Everything looks new including the white paint
and Clinton decals.Any help greatly appreciated.Ron

 

[scott47429]

take the plug out put some marvel mystery oil in it let it set for a day or 2 remove to starter housing to get to the flywheel and work it back and forth if the cylinders not rusted up as you say then it should free up just go slow and easy don't force it good luck

 

[reynoldston]

take the plug out put some marvel mystery oil in it let it set for a day or 2 remove to starter housing to get to the flywheel and work it back and forth if the cylinders not rusted up as you say then it should free up just go slow and easy don't force it good luck

I would do as scott47429 said. I have restored some old out board boat motors with the same problem but the only thing I do different I use PB Blaster penetrating oil, I'm not saying marvel mystery oil won't work just as well. I haven't come across one yet that hasn't freed up. But do as Scott said take your time and just keep working it back and forth.

 

[benski]

Yep. Patience is the key here. A 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF has worked for me in the past, as has some Sea-Foam. Whatever elixir you try, let it sit for a couple of hours at least before you torque on things.:wink::biggrin:

 

[Rivets]

If this Clinton is new enough to have a recoil starter, I would also check that.