Mantua 2-6-6-2T Engine Tune Up

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With the axle pushed all the way to the left note that the crank pin hits the valve
gear cross head. Also not lower left green circle shows a bent eccentric rod end.

Note how bent the hanger for the monkey motion valve gear is.
Also the crank pins seem way to long.

Ever wonder why your engine may have a hitch in its git along?
This could be why (green circles)

So as you inspect closely each picture I'm sure you can find more problems.
This could be the reason why when you return the first engine and get a replacement
it may have the same problems. How many of you have the same scenario with the side
rods? I'm sure this is not peculiar to just this engine I have. Over all the engine looks
very good and runs pretty good considering the valve gear. This is going to take some
long and dedicated work to straighten out. But first I'm going to work on installing
wheel wipers and upgrading the lights and wiring with plugs.

Ok, here's something interesting to contemplate. Remember the old saying you can't fit a square peg into
a round hole? Well, Mantua has reversed that saying, you "CAN" fit a round peg in a square hole. Here's proof.
Note that the holes in the frame are square and the screw goes into the square hole. This is a manufacturing
technique used to save money. Cast the square hole and screw in the screw. Saves on drilling and tapping.
Ingenious isn't it? Lawn mowers are assembled like that. Makes it tough to rebuild. Plus the screw holes
are easy to strip out if to much pressure is applied to the screw. I'll show a way to fix that problem.

Here's another tidbit of information. Those screws/bolts with the hex heads that hold the rods on are
always hard to get on and off. I used to use a pair of pliers and succeeded in rounding the bolt head.

Here's a simple tool to use so you won't ruin those bolts. It's a 4-40 hex bolt. Fits right over the bolt head.
Now you can use a pair of pliers and not ruin the hex head bolt. You'll only ruin the threads on the bolt & that's OK.

Up next will be the modification of the bottom gear cover plates.