Oops! I've Dissolved The Engine! | Triumph Tiger 90 Restoration | Episode 10

[@shedtime_au]

I related to that guy doing the crankshaft. Haven't found any tradesmen like that in Australia in the last 50 years and even in those days they were rare. I remember talking to a random mechanic about a Triumph Herald I was restoring in 1972 and asking him how you get the valve guides out. He walked over to the lathe, grabbed a mild steel rod and turned it down, then handed it to me. "That's a drift. Just stick it in the guide and hit it with a hammer." Great. What do I owe you? "Ah, don't worry about it." Other days, another world. He even told me how to get the new ones in ... just stick 'em in the freezer and they drop right in. Between guys like that and the Haynes manuals I managed to teach myself to be a pretty good mechanic.

[@bobingram6912]

Oh the blister making days spent at a bench lapping in valves then off to the stores because I was told I needed some elbow grease, happy days🤔🤔🤔🙄 Good to see more engineering genius at work, well done for bigging them up👍👍👍

[@michaelmason5459]

Now your going to all this fun connect a inline oil filter aswell, I had a magnet in a plastic bag on a wire in oil tank, take it out of oil tank turn bag inside out to get magnet out and all the metal bits stay in bag cheap but effective, gives a rough idea how the engine wearing. Brilliant video

[@TheMickvee]

Hi Dom! I cannot hear the words " caustic soda" without recalling Malcom destroying Ogris' Vincent engine, back in the 70s, in Bike magazine! Malcom ended up being stuffed into a Triumph petrol tank!

[@luddite6239]

Caustic soda used to be the go to solution for decoking two-stroke exhausts back in the day.

[@rogerthecabinboy]

Love "make it to Margate" will be glued to the set Monday

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you!

[@miguelpaixao1317]

Hello Dominic, keep going with this project. And thank fos chairing in it

[@nilo70]

Your doing GREAT Dom ! Cheers From California 😊

[@The-RA-Guy]

Hey Dom, that episode reminded me of days spent lapping valves in. We used a bow on the lapping tool to spin it back and forth. It was a steel rod with a slight bend that pulled taught when you wrapped the string around the tool. It was fairly ancient when I stated using it. Definithely made it easier though.

[@GARDENER42]

I remember dropping a really gummed up Amal carburettor off a BSA C15 in caustic solution as a teenager. Started fizzing immediately so I whipped it out sharpish & into a weak vinegar solution followed by a water bath. No harm done.

[@jerrycursons]

I use to inline hand ream the crank bushes using a exspanding reamer . I am pretty sure there's was a tool in the back of the manual very similar which I could not get at the time but after talking with my then boss suggests using a exspanding reamer would do the job .and with his 40 years experience in engineering at the time proved correct that was in the mid 70's . When I started work and riding a motorbike and repairing them to keep on the road as cheaply as possible being on low wages at the time . Great job so far by you and John keep it up .

[@S2NAZ]

You do realize that your fails are also successes 😊 this was fun Dom. Love the progress. I’ll bet you’ll be happy to have your shop helper back. You have some terrific resources to pull from. Love the cottage industry mom and pop businesses. Wishing you a very happy weekend 👋🏻

[@nitt3rz]

Caustic soda is used to clean aluminium before anodising; so a quick dip in a weak solution should be ok for cleaning.

[@DominicChineas]

Great thank you

[@paulyeomans1065]

@@DominicChineas Depends how long your Aluminium was exposed to the sodium hydroxide - any more than a few minutes will have damaged the finish, especially if it was anodised. Hope you neutralised the sodium hydroxide with some e.g. citric or acetic acid. As someone else has posted, check out vapour blasting which will give a pristine finish to Al parts. Plenty of companies do it, or you could build your own blaster (several vids on KZbin). Love the videos, reminds me of my first bike (Triumph Tiger Cub) which me and my mate rebuilt 50 years ago.

[@DesGillan]

Haha I've never ever wanted a bike. Never interested me. I do now. I want a Triumph. The precision of these machines and your patience is awesome. Loved seeing myself on the Make It at Market trailer too. Haha. Can't wait to see everyone's episodes. Cheers Dom. 🐐❤️👍🏻

[@DominicChineas]

Do it!!! They are great fun, and you can learn from all of my mistakes, it will be so much easier for you now haha

[@davidworth4692]

Had you followed Paul Sample’s Ogri in your youth you would have remembered Malcom being stuffed into a full tank by Ogri after Malcom dissolved the Vincent’s crankcases in caustic soda.

[@BarendVeldman]

Looking forward to seeing Make it at market Dom. Kind regards from the Netherlands

[@DaveAMcLaughlin]

Great video, Dom! Thank you! I look forward to your episodes every Sunday 👍

[@DominicChineas]

Glad you like them!

[@BikerBelf]

Absolutely brilliant show again. You are my Monday go-to on KZbin every week.

[@DominicChineas]

Wow, thank you!

[@dartmoormancave]

Soaking in malt vinegar works for stuff like that and importantly rust too! Have soaked many a cylinder head in malt vinegar ..clears out the scale, rust and gunge brilliantly ..and it's cheap too!

[@digitaIgorilla]

The bike's coming on. I'm set to watch Make it at Market later today. Love the feel good factor of it, when they realise there is a business to be made from their skills, not just a hobby covering costs ❤

[@DominicChineas]

I hope you enjoyed it

[@PurbleDragon]

That title scared the pants off me lol! I wish I could watch Make it at Market but I'm unfortunately American. Hopefully it'll make it's way over at some point. Or if they do dvds at some point, maybe you can ask them to do a US format, Repair Shop's only available in UK so I can't buy those either :(. Can't wait to see next week's!

[@DominicChineas]

Good news for you, make it at market will be out on britbox in the US Also the repair shop episodes are available on KZbin! Enjoy!

[@roberthocking9138]

Great video, excellent vision, that must be a very good camera and you captured some great close up vision. Yes a good lesson, don’t put alloy parts in caustic soda 😂

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks 👍

[@samrodian919]

Great video Dom I'm glad you got a skilled craftsman to bore the barrels, grind the crank and do that fiddly honing job. I'm surprised that the valve guides were ok as you said nothing about them in the video. You don't need anywhere near that amount of grinding paste. Three little blobs at 120 degrees on the valve face and no more than one minute on each valve with coarse then fine paste will see you ok, especially as you're using brand new valves. If you had to take longer to do the first round of coarse paste then I suggest the seats needed cutting. Which I would have done given I was putting new valves in the head to make a perfect seal. Depending on how much you took off of the head with the fly cutter on the mill, you may have to put a thicker head gasket on reassembly but I doubt there is any piston to valve clearance problems. Just check with a lump of plasticiene in the head and turn over the engine one revolution and take the head off and see the amount of clearance there is between the piston and the head. Good luck putting it back together next week!

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi Dom, Glad to see it all coming together, can't wait till next time, But please be careful 😅, TV booked for Monday, All the best Brian 😃

[@TheCNCDen]

woops indeed. Caustic (pronounced costic) Soda solution is what you use on drill, mill or cnc bits to remove welded on aluminium. If you want to clean/degrease aluminium there are a multitude of specialist products better suited.

[@delcat8168]

you say costic, I say corstic, Dom says cowstic ... Let's call the whole thing off ;-)

[@arthurgordon6072]

I've never heard caustic soda pronounced like that Dom! What you need is a proper parts cleaner. No workshop should be without one😊!

[@more.power.]

Great video Dom. The motorcycle will run like new when reassembled. Cheers

[@DominicChineas]

Hope so!

[@besenzon1]

Great to see these small specialised companies alive and well.

[@humourless682]

If that guy made his money from engineering work on old Brit bike engines, he would have been out of business long ago..........................lol

[@pauliebots]

​@@humourless682did your previous comment about line reaming get erased because it may save an engine...no?

[@humourless682]

@@pauliebots Justin Harvey James, excellent 180 page, T90 restoration guide details the correct way to fit a timing side bush. Letting cowboys get to work on Brit engines, doesn't seem a great idea?

[@pauliebots]

@@humourless682 is that guide available hard copy?

[@humourless682]

@@pauliebots No idea. Sending a copy to the TV "eggsuckers" might help them avoid further blunders.............

[@stepheneldridge6998]

Super video Dom..great to get the engine underway...and so good to see the skilled help available. I hope these engineering skills are being passed on. Great stuff! Cheers, Steve 💚

[@DominicChineas]

Brilliant stuff thank you for the positivity

[@FFVoyager]

Dominic will now be known as Malcolm. (Ogri once gave Malcolm a handful of engine parts to de-grease; he dropped them into a bath of caustic soda, unaware that the chemical dissolved aluminium.......)

[@Qspecialman]

You are so right Dom, it is essential that everyone passes on their knowledge, no matter what is is. The folks you have been dealing with are a great example of the skilled people in Britain and what unique knowledge and skills they have. These days it is all about fit a new part, buy a new engine etc. etc. And if those parts are no longer available what do you do? Keep up the good work.

[@paulzirker706]

Another great entertaining video Dom

[@richiew3184]

Your videos Dom are my favourites of the week. Loving this project and missing the 356 but I know you’re a busy guy.

[@davidmanning8329]

Nice video, as always. Thanks Dom. Delighted Make it at Market is back! Loved season 1!

[@DominicChineas]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tonyowen_seagull_guy]

My nephew from here on Vancouver Island got to see you in action at the Goodwood revival ...sure looked like fun and a LOT of hard work...well done!!

[@tonyray2350]

Thanks Dom, another great video. I can remember my Dad showing me how lap valves in on the mini based kit car project when I was a young apprentice. I cannot wait to see the engine rebuild episode. Also love the Make it to Market series. Many thanks again ❤

[@BrianAnker-q4y]

Yep Caustic Soda dissolves aluminium. As a last resort I used it to dissolve an aluminium seatpost stuck in a bicycle I was restoring. Scary stuff.

[@DominicChineas]

That’s such a good idea!

[@davidbillington9654]

A neighbour had that problem with an aluminium seatpost in a steel frame and had been trying for weeks to remove the post and had already cut off the top so I just used a single ended hacksaw holder and blade and slit the post from inside and it then came right out, a quick hone to remove some rust and job done in about 15 minutes. No damage to the frame or paint which caustic would likely have attacked, an expensive collectable frame so he wanted to keep it original if possible.

[@1chish]

Just personal preference I always used 'Jizer' to de-grease and clean engine parts. Recently couldn't find it locally so used 'Gunk' which works as well. Did a '65 Morris Minor restoration recently and while its not cheap you can get small tin for about £10. Avoid the aerosols! And for the environmentalists yes its bio-degradable so I use hot water and a squirt of Fairy Liquid (in the kitchen sink of course) to flush out the cleaner. Always a great finish. Especially in something like that oil tank. But that engineering shop was really Old Skool and reminded me why I went into engineering as a 16 year old.

[@grahamhunter3233]

Another great episode 😊

[@nigelmackie9237]

Cool video like the engineering side of it. If you can get all the aluminium engine parts vapour blasted they will come up like new. Will look so good.

[@spamhead]

Good idea to clean out the tank Dom. When I cleaned out the tank from my 50s Matchless there were lots of nice sparkly particles. With only a gauze filter, not much to stop them going around again. Aarrgh ally and caustic!😬

[@johnford3825]

Don't forget to dismantle the oil pump as some of the sludge may be trapped in the ball bearings and springs.

[@Teuchteronabike]

Seconded.

[@DominicChineas]

Yeah it’s on the list! Thank you

[@sandramelville8736]

Another fabulous video as always

[@WilliamPobjoy]

Can’t wait for it

[@chrisbanks5925]

Good prep work Dom.

[@jozsefizsak]

Very nice!

[@everestyeti]

Don't worry already have Make it at Market on series record. Last series was so good, my favourite was the lady that modelled out of whicker. 👍

[@JLo1960]

You're needing to buy a sand blasting box for all these engine and frame parts Dom. Great video by the way.

[@billdoodson4232]

The caustic will also dezincify the brass. So don't soak steel parts that have brass bushes.

[@DominicChineas]

That’s really good to know thank you

[@dubsy4835]

Another great watch Dom... Sunday's wouldn't be Sunday's without your vids... keep them coming. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@EJHarrop]

Great video mate and the bike project is looking so good. I would watch your show if it were available in the US but don't think it will be, le you know of a clever way to do it. Cheers!

[@DominicChineas]

Yes it will be out ok britbox in the US, I am just not sure when

[@robertwiddrington]

Absolutely loving the videos (don't forget you promised you'd do some more 356 before you have to return to the Repair Shop in the New Year). I know you are a very busy man but is there any chance the videos could be a little longer each week, at present they seem to be getting shorter. I'd be happy for you to jump between projects in the same video if you are waiting on John / parts or whatever. Thanks. Rob.

[@DominicChineas]

I am still desperate to get on the Porsche, don’t worry it will happen!

[@PaulG.x]

Drain cleaner is Sodium Hydroxide (caustic soda) - you used the same stuff twice. Some drain cleaners have aluminium shaving added to make them fizz ,but it does not add to the cleaning abilities. The theory behind that is the gas clears out blockages in drain pipes. Toss a match at it and the hydrogen explosion might clear out the pipes (if they survive the blast)

[@Pete.Ty1]

👍👍👍.Thanks

[@michaelmiller641]

Wonderful!

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@andymccabe6712]

Ha!..... Great to get a positive comment in before the 'we take engineering too seriously'... over earnest, nerd brigade start with their criticisms......!!!! Well done Dom....!!!

[@DominicChineas]

Haha this made me chuckle, thank you I appreciate the positive comments!

[@markcarrington8565]

Great video Dom. My late grandfather was a tool maker. I remember visiting his shop many years ago and I still remember him telling me about using lubrication on the machines. This is the first video where I seen someone using a proper jet of oil directly on the cutting tools. People just don’t seem to be bothered these days and I wonder how long the tools last as a result.

[@markfoggy9933]

Caustic will lift anodising off aluminium parts, but unlikely that was even known about in those days. If you have to get the raw ally back on aluminium pieces, try Critic acid. Asian food wholesalers have it by the kg. Go easy on carbs though, will attack some of the machined surfaces like slides and seats.

[@edfranklin9137]

Being a 50 yr motorcyclist I’m loving this , please try and make your videos longer, we will not get bored of it.

[@DominicChineas]

I’ll try but I just only have so much time to get the progress done, filming slows everything down so much

[@stuartosborne3013]

I use Monties a very reliable supplier 👍👍

[@daveco1270]

I'm so jealous that you have a vintage bike shop like that, run by a guy who obviously knows his stuff. I don't think there's many of those around, especially here in the USA.

[@jamesbarnes3063]

good job!

[@charliekingpin8568]

I'm so looking forward to this bike being fired up, it'll be like a new bike and it's recycling so good for the environment :)

[@highdownmartin]

There’s an early Ogri cartoon ( by Paul Sample) where Malcolm ruins loads of bits by chucking them in caustic soda Bloody hell Malcolm

[@pauliebots]

I really enjoyed the show you were on with the thatched roof barn and everyone brings in their stuff and story to all the craftspeople. Very relaxing, informative and heart warming. This is right up my alley since I own three triumphs and am currently taking forever to build a fourth. I really like your approach to projects and this one is no exception. Looking foreward to its conclusion. Thanks for doing this.

[@peteypops]

Nice etching job on the Aluminium….hope you didn’t have a naked flame nearby!

[@kenkennedy5516]

Wee tip……get proper assembly lube and running in oil……for first start up…….👍

[@tasman754]

Are you going to get the engine dynamically balanced? I had it done when I rebuilt my pre unit engine and it made one hell of a difference!

[@kingcal53]

Great video as always, Dom. Aspire to having a workshop that I can tinker in! Keep 'em coming, unlike some I dont care how short they are!

[@snodgerbill9111]

Hey Dom get a sonic cleaner, might be useful for you.

[@wm.traynor1143]

I made that caustic soda mistake in 1965 only it was boiling an iron head in an aluminium container. The fumes were deadly☠

[@velviaman3206]

My friend did exactly the same with an aluminium spray gun . We went for lunch and when we came back there was a hole in the bottom.

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

Thanks

[@DominicChineas]

Your so welcome

[@robedmunds7163]

Please note always add caustic soda to water and NOT water to caustic soda and please please wear eye protection.

[@judithbarnett2966]

"Here lies Gillian still and placid; she added water to the acid!" (Or alkali in this instance)

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Yep, I've seen an explosion in the factory I worked at , the whole tank erupted like a volcano , boiling hot caustic soda everywhere.

[@judithbarnett2966]

​@@snowflakemelter1172oh my days!!! 😮

[@nilo70]

Dominic , you rascal, I want you to BE SAFE ! I fell in love with the things you do and did. Cheers From California 😊

[@peterlobb6456]

This project gets better and better! A quick question, did you have to coat the engine parts after cleaning them to prevent flash rusting? I'll definitely be tuning in to BBC to watch the programme tomorrow 😊

[@DominicChineas]

Yeah I just smothered everything with engine oil to keep them from rusting until next week!

[@northfieldguitars7743]

Great work as always Dom. great to hear about the new series of Make It At Market. Should be on in the evening though! How can you get decent viewing figures if we’re at work?! I’ll be catching up on Iplayer 👍🏼

[@DominicChineas]

I know, it’s not my decision! It more people watch it maybe we can get upgraded to an evening slot

[@northfieldguitars7743]

@@DominicChineas Yes. I saw the first series is being re-run on a prime time evening slot. You deserve it!

[@Dumfries474]

A drop of caustic in your eye will cause irrepairable damage instantly. WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES EVERY TIME YOU USE IT!!

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you for the warning

[@rowancrafts]

I remember being bribed as a 10year old into lapping valves for my uncle who was rebuilding a Fairthorpe convertible. Must have done a good job 'cos dad asked me to do his Singer Gazelle.

[@judithbarnett2966]

St Dominick!! Haha! Caustic soda = Sodium Hydroxide = yikes! You were making aluminum hydroxide (a white powder) Does recording MIAM count? 4.30pm is silly o'clock most days.

[@DominicChineas]

Delicious haha! Yes I’ll take recording it, as long as you tell your friends to watch it!

[@petershepherd6889]

heard a story of someone who dangled a set of alloy wheels in a caustic tank at a well known car plant in Oxford and when he returned the following day all that was left was the wire they were hanging on.

[@stevecunningham8960]

Aluminium and Caustic Soda, oh dear😮 I heard of an apprentice engineer who thought he'd save time by popping his Cylinderhead into a caustic bath at work overnight All he found was two valve seats. There was an advert in the local paper, BSA Gold Star for sale, spares or repair. No cylinderhead.

[@DominicChineas]

Haha! Oh no, I am lucky I didn’t go out and leave them in there!

[@tonypeters8298]

Nice work Bloke, enjoying the build series. Re the new show, when will we in the Colonies get to see it?😂

[@richardbartlett6932]

Been a while since I lapped in valve but I would always lap the valve pointing away from me not towards me.. I assumed that's the norm.. what do others do?

[@DominicChineas]

Yeah but everything changes when you have to try and film it and talk to camera at the same time!

[@jonathanb3458]

Rumours in East Somerset are that Wendy is refusing to be filmed anymore until she gets an increase in her dog biscuit allowance... At least you know where to go in Kent for specialist work on the Porsche engine.

[@martinhaskell376]

Ooh, a Garner era 961 Commando! 🤔

[@ronniejarvis2679]

Are the valve seats hardened? If not, be sure to run leaded fuel

[@iancrowe8384]

Seconded. As you've got the head stripped anyway at least have it checked for valve guide wear and whether the seats have been replaced with hardened versions. Saves all the faffing around with additives/searching for leaded fuel.

[@tekkydaveU]

Great video, Dom but why is there a horse looking over your shoulder in the last shot.

[@DominicChineas]

It’s a zebra!

[@daveflatters4981]

Quote of the day, ”I don’t care if you watch it, just put the tv on the channel”. 😂😂😂

[@DominicChineas]

It’s all about the numbers! Haha

[@kevinstringer8938]

Dom I love your videos but the filming of them makes me feel sea sick 😂 have you got a stabilizing mode on the camera ! Keep em coming

[@DominicChineas]

Oh no still! I am trying to make them as steady as possible! Yes it has stabilisation but clearly my flapping about is too much for it haha!

[@kevinstringer8938]

@@DominicChineas I feel bad for being negative when I absolutely love your videos and so does my wife! Say hi to honest John love his input as well

[@DominicChineas]

there is a big difference in being constructive and just being negative, dont worry your ok! i appreciate the notes, i want the channel to be as good as it can be! thank you for the support@@kevinstringer8938

[@andypandy955]

Once again great video check Barum engines amazing company.

[@router5840]

Why not use Gunk engine cleaner thats what is for? and it's biodegradable.

[@DominicChineas]

I have never heard of it!

[@richardm.gramling1772]

How about lapping values for a V8 ? 356???

[@suzukisav]

Argh Dom! You're taking the lead! I'm still faffing with details on mine! I reckon you're going to win the build race. 😢 But the challenge is still valid for a cafe to cafe, old school rocker race next spring. 💪 Everyone else, feel free to watch my build too. I show the really boring bits. 😂

[@DominicChineas]

Haha, I don’t know! I am doing plenty of faffing… still have lots of fiddly bits to do, as well as the rest of the Bike!

[@suzukisav]

@@DominicChineas ah, good point. I'm forgetting my bike part is already done... Ok, we might be head to head still. 😂 If you fancy a workshop visit, chat about bikes etc give me a shout. Also happy to come and visit you👍

[@bobt3374]

Hi Dom excellent clean up & those machins that were running are fantastic.

[@michaelgillett5477]

If you have asked us when you were at the National motor museum workshops we would’ve told you about Kostic soda evil stuff without aluminium Michael

[@iansmith5823]

Can't wait to see the finished bike back on the road. Not sure car engineers grind bike cranks as good as bike engineers as the two need different things. SEP in Kegworth are some of the best for future reference. Keep at it though as it will be well worth it.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you for the contact but I don’t agree with your comment, Alan has been doing this all of his working life, this job really didn’t test him! He did a fantastic job

[@antrog1895]

Iv been saying coss- stick all these years 🤣

[@delcat8168]

Great vid' as per usual ( btw, I think it's pronounced CORstic not COWstic, hope you don't mind me saying. )

[@DominicChineas]

I don’t mind at all! Thank you

[@selsdon7073]

Cow stick soda?

[@DominicChineas]

Exactly.. it’s special stuff, not vegan

[@PaulG.x]

Sodium Hydroxide will cause intercrystalline corrosion on aluminium and severely weaken it

[@chrislewis4830]

are you supposed to use caustic soda on alloy im sure i heard thats not a good idea. hmmm. Phew you realised