Just finished the 2nd tune on my BC. Did it country style. The Ag had already been de-burred by myself but I wanted to try something different in the lube dept and piston seal.
I had been in the cattle barn where the large syringes are kept and while looking at the plunger of a syringe, I noticed that the seal looked like a seal used on AG pistons. So I took several to compare. Sure enough they fit. And later during a cookout we had that day I could not help but notice the fat dripping from the pork-butts and the chicken. Another idea was forming. I collected some of the fat in some old mason jars sitting around. It was very slippery. Bet this could be used to lube the Big Cat I thought. My mind was racing with the possibilities. All I needed was a spring for the piston. We had just cut the weeds, actually the Highway Dept, and had discovered the Yugo that had been missing for years and my thoughts turned to the coil springs on the front shocks. They are fairly small. Sure enough the spring did fit the Cat. A little cutting and filing and Man I was ready to tune.
Things went well, the chicken fat was used to lube the seal and the front chamber. Used only a very light film of the stuff. Next was the pork fat for the spring (since it is heavier) but at the last moment I decided to use Crisco on the spring instead. Well I was shocked when the spring slid right in and disappeared down the tube. What the heck, it had been almost 4 inches longer than the tube on the trial fit. I puzzled over this for sometime. Then I figured out the problem. You can't use Crisco on springs because it is "shortening". Took out the spring , cleaned it with something that had a lot of alcohol in it and was clear. Got the hog fat , think lard here, lubed the spring and it fit as it should have.
The tune turned out well. The power is unreal. It still has the twang but now with a sllight squeal. And now every time the Cat is fired everyone thinks there is a cookout happening somewhere. And the dogs won't leave you alone.
Gonna try some waxed and lubed pellets next.
I swear every word here is true......mostly.
