Vehicle engines

Helen Weidenhofer <hweiden [at] attglobal__net> writes

>We are in the preliminary stages of investigating the different
>options available for 'shutting down' the engine of an early
>twentieth century motorcycle (that is, converting it from a working
>object to a static collection item).

I suggest you contact George Prytulak at the Canadian Conservation
Institute. He recommended a system for long-term stabilization of
vehicles in heritage institutions that we have been using very
successfully in the Yukon Territory. At this point, we have a car
and a truck from the 1920's, several outboard motors, a chainsaw and
an airplane engine being maintained using this system. After the
initial stabilization, the objects are simply inspected annually to
ensure that moving parts are adequately lubricated, and that none of
the surfaces show new corrosion. In our case, we are lucky enough to
have a contractor who has a heritage background combined with
considerable practical experience as a mechanic. This is an ideal
situation. He understands how engines work, uses only cleaning
agents and methods recommended to him and is very sensitive to and
protective of original finishes. He also has his own equipment. If
you can find someone who is familiar with engines and is open to
direction by a conservator, they can be invaluable for this kind of
work.

Valery Monahan
Conservator, Heritage Branch
Government of Yukon
867-667-3431
Fax: 867-667-5377



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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:2
                 Distributed: Wednesday, June 13, 2001
                        Message Id: cdl-15-2-005
                                  ***