This is my first post - please be gentle.

I have purchased a Myford ML7 (s/n 20206) and a small number of
accessories. The lathe has seen a lot of work but is in reasonable
condition with the former owner having replaced the leadscrew and
generally having looked after it.

I have access to a manual for the ML7 but I find that I am unable to
use the backgear. I have used the references in section B of the manual
to identify various parts.

The problem is that when I loosen the cap head screw (B19) and move the
backgear key (B16) to allow the Vee cone pulley assembly (B14) to
freely rotate on the spindle (B24) - it doesn't freely rotate. In fact
it doesn't rotate at all. Consequently when I operate the tumbler
release lever (B43) to engage the backgears it locks the spindle. It is
as if the Vee cone pulley assembly has seized on the spindle. No amount
of firmly applied force (by hand) will get the Vee cone pulley assembly
to spin on the spindle.

Has anyone else encounted this problem?

Have I overlooked something?

How do I fix this?

I have removed the oil nipple (B15) on the vee cone pulley assembly and
have introduced into the hole as much wd40 as it would hold but after
two days this has had no effect. I have checked that the backgear
cluster (B50) turns freely on its shaft when not engaged.

Looking forward to your imput.