Re: JPOR: Piston removal

["Paul W." <a4xnut@xxxxxxxxx>]

Obi-Wan <bvh@inetnebr.com> wrote:
> You guys will get sick of me before I'm done with this project...

Not yet... this is a refreshing "new" topic.  We don't cover engine internals
very often.  <G>
 
> Once I've got the crankshaft removed from my 401 V8, is there any
> reason why I can't remove the pistons from the bottom to check/replace
> the rings?  The TSM says I have to remove them through the top, but
> that assumes the crank is in place.

Besides the possibility of journal interferance, most auto engines won't allow
pistons to come out the bottom since the fit at the bottom of the bore is very
tight since the piston never goes that far down.

> When removing through the top, the TSM says I need to ream out a
> little ridge that's along the top of the cylinder bore before the
> pistons will slide out.  What exactly is the "ridge reamer" they
> talk about, and can I just do the same job with a Dremmel tool?

Your local rental shop should have one.  I'd highly recommend it because it
keeps the top of the cylider bore round.  Next to impossible to do with a
Dremel tool/die grinder.
 
> The TSM says to use a ring expander to install the compression rings
> on the pistons.  What is this, and is it really necessary?

As the others said... life will be much easier with one.
 
> Similarly, it says to use a ring compressor to install the newly-ringed
> pistons back into the cylinders.  What is this, and is it really
> necessary?  Is it still necessary when installing pistons from the
> bottom of the cylinder (see question #1)?

See above.

Paul

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