Thanks for all the input guys - I'm learning lots from you all.
While I still haven't got the thing apart, I have had a couple of small wins.
1: The piston is budging, I've moved it about 5mm down the bore - so things are slowly breaking free. I am being as "gentle" as I can, while wacking it with a block of wood. Still giving it time and lots of penetrating oil.
2: I have managed to get another stud out - unfortunately the two left in are on opposite sides of the crankcase - so I still can't split that - but it appears time, patience and perseverance is winning. I really don't want to start cutting studs and things. I would really like to keep as many of the original parts as I can. Its not time - I don't care how long a restoration takes me - its not the money - studs could only be a couple of bucks - its just that when its all done, I can look at it and get some kind of weird pleasure in thinking that all those parts that were put together in the factory all those years ago and back together and functioning well - hey - I know I'm weird....
As per your advice - I have checked the studs where they travel through the fins to ensure they are not rusted to the fins - they are free - they just seem to have a very good hold onto the crankcase. Time and lube (I will make up some Acetone and Transmission Fluid and try that as well) should help. I can actually turn the crank shaft a little bit now, and I can see the barrel moving up and down the studs, with the piston still fixed in the bore.
2: I tested the coil - and it works!!! I know that doesn't guarantee it will work under load, but its a good start
At the moment I am amusing myself with little jobs, cleaning parts etc, while the barrel/piston is soaking in a bucket of diesel.
Hasten slowly Grasshopper!
Polybus
