AKA: Tuttle's "Big Mess"

In response to the 990918 MMD post, I have had good luck removing
silicone by soaking the offending metal part in gasoline for a couple
of days. The silicone grows and gets soft and can then be rubbed off
with out much trouble. This would work for the tracker bar end of the
problem. It also works well if someone has used silicone on the metal
valve plates in a Simplex. I have a war surplus shell carrier that is
about 24" long and 4" in diameter that I use.  It seals air tight so
the fumes don't bother me. I think the shell it was designed for fit
a 75mm gun.

John Dewey