I moved this here from New Acquisitions, where it seems more logical...

TypewriterKing wrote:

Try some warm tranny fluid in there. I'll bet you it will be solvent enough to dissolve that tar and gum. You might need to leave it soak overnight, and then put some more in there and work each keys. ...I got the machine unstuck, though. Took a couple of days' work.

I was working the keys applying liberal amounts of mineral spirits to the segment, when the worst key of all finally came free and flew crisply as if it had never been stuck. And the next day I found that key was gummed up again! The positive side is that I apparently got the gunk soft enough to flow... very slowly.

I may try warm power steering fluid before warm tranny fluid first for the excellent reason that I have some - at room temperature at least. I will probably wear gloves - it's a chemical cocktail so potent it makes Love Canal look straight up!!   If that works I will try again to straighten the body - it took such a hit that work hardening is an issue: it doesn't want to bend back where it's already bent but someplace softer.