Putting a Panther together

sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#1
#1
I have enough parts to assemble a "nearly new" Clinton Panther. I need some more space because I have too many old smokers stored in that barn and I recently won an auction on a PP AH47, so I think one of the Panthers needs to be put back together.
I think this will be a fun project. I do have some upgrades but this is basically a stock 500 block from a Sears generator with new piston and rings, new seals and gaskets, new paint and a 5/8 PTO crankshaft from an A400. I hope to use a stock carb with governor, but if that doesn't pan out, we have piles of old chainsaw Tillotson carbs. Pictures will be added as I make progress.
 
sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#4
#4
I have read that these engines were painted after they were assembled. I plan to paint the block after assembly, but before the ignition and flywheel are installed. I will paint the shroud and recoil separately.
I see, now, that I also have a cast iron flywheel and an aluminum one from the Sears generator.
 
Mark G

Mark G

#6
#6
Very cool! I have the same generator, took the engine off years ago and haven't done anything with it. Where did you get the crank?
 
sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#14
#14
I made some progress today. For any of you folks who think two stroke engines are some mysterious monsters, take a look at what is inside of this one. I got it sealed up and ready to paint the block. There really isn't anything inside them IMG_20250204_111301.jpg
 
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sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#15
#15
This is my "clean room" for assembling furniture and engines. Here is where the piston and rod get installed. The new rings seemed tight in the cylinder, but the ring gap was within specs, so I pushed it in there. IMG_20250204_101836.jpg IMG_20250204_102246.jpg
The crank goes in next. This is the cool part. IMG_20250204_102349.jpg IMG_20250204_102650.jpg
 
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sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#17
#17
New reeds installed. These engines had oil ports cast into the block and the reed plate.
The oil and fuel were carried into the crank case with the air from the carb. As the mixture moved around in the case, these small ports pushed oily air and fuel into the bushings supporting the crank. These ports need to be clear before installing the reed plate. IMG_20250204_110057.jpg
Note the little notch I cut in the gasket at 11:00. It mates the hole in the reed plate with the hole in the block.
 
sparkwizard

sparkwizard

#19
#19
My 1959 manual, updated in 1961, says they were painted with "red heat resistant paint" but other colors were available upon special request. I am thinking a dark red engine enamel spray paint would be nice, but I have also seen them in white, blue, yellow and black. I have two different shrouds with data plates on them. I think I still have a data plate that is new, never stamped with a model number.
Should I just spray it red?
 
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