Question on Dye Ultralight Feedneck...can I remove it?

[BornAgain]

Now that I have the leaks eliminated I'm on to working on how I can (hopefully) replace the feed neck. I can't fit any of my current hoppers on there without the need to sand them down. I've seen Ultralights out there with replaced necks. I remember seeing some post where using a strap wrench can remove it. Does anyone know if that's the case or if some Ultralights are one piece design and impossible to remove? Here are a few pics of mine. I kind of looks like it may be a 2 piece that I can unscrew...but not sure.

Here are some pics...hoping someone with experience can chime in...

[Trbo323]

I've never owned one but I do seem to recall somebody saying feed next can be removed and it would also make sense for the era these are in

I'd say throw a strap wrench on it and try

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[Tracker]

that SHOULD be removable, STO threaded

[Cdn_Cuda]

When it doubt add some heat. I use a hairdryer on high and warm things up first, usually makes things easier to get apart.

[superman]

That one is removable. If you decide you want the feedneck cut for empire spec feednecks instead give me a shout.

[shooter311]

I have had some that I swore were removable, but I couldn't get them with a strap wrench or anything. Like Cdn_Cuda said though add some heat. I would put the heat gun on it to warm it up (don't go too hot and ruin anything), then it would usually come off by hand (I would wear a mechanics glove so I didn't burn myself). So I would say heat no matter what.

[Hooptie]

Here is an example of what the threaded feedneck should look like once you get it off.

Towards the base is a o-ring and possibly the o-ring has swelled which is giving you the challenge to remove the threaded neck.

I have never tried this, but if heat doesn’t loosen the o-ring or if you don’t have access to a hair dryer or other heat source, maybe leave it in the freezer and see if the o-ring shrinks enough to lessen the grip. I’d try the heat method first.

https://www.paintballgateway.com/collections/new-arrivals-1/products/wgp-autococker-unibody-body-kit-raw

[BornAgain]

Thank you all for the quick feedback. I'll try that tomorrow (need to pick up a strap wrench if I can't do it by hand). I'll heat her up.

One more question...are there certain feednecks that fit?



@shooter - thanks for the tip on the mechanics gloves

superman - thanks. I didn't know that could be done. It's been a good 18 or so years since I played/worked with cockers. The bug has bitten again! lol

[Tracker]

without modification STO or 2k2 cocker treaded, if you send it to a machinist, they can mill the threads off to fit an empire spec stub, which them means a LOT of feednecks are available

[superman]

yep, empire, inception, nummech, sconi and a few others depending on how it is cut.

[BornAgain]

Appreciate the replies. Looks like I need to pick up a strap wrench. No matter how hard I try, I can't twist it off by hand after heating it up. More to come...

[maggot]

A strap wrench is a good thing to have handy regardless, but there are a couple of other ways. Always heat it first.
Put the neck into a vice between 2 wood boards - use the body itself as leverage to unscrew it. Put a tight-fitting hopper in and use the hopper as leverage to turn it.

[Jordan]

I don't think I've ever seen a heat gun work on anything, except for old bumper stickers.

Get that thing HOT - use a propane torch. If you're really going at it you might affect the anno but any loctite and/or orings holding it on will have melted before you get to that point... I've discolored anno exactly once in all the years I've done it this way, and I was using an oxy-acetylene torch when I did it.

[latches109]

I have great success with a cheap harbor freight heat gun, vice with soft jaws, and a strap wrench. I have not needed to take out the torch yet.

[BornAgain]

Thank you all. I was able to get it off with a strap wrench! I can finally get my hoppers on!