SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: hotrod56cars on February 12, 2008, 06:37:59 PM

Title: Piston removal
Post by: hotrod56cars on February 12, 2008, 06:37:59 PM
I bought a complete engine. 454 with 4 bolt mains. Rust in the cylinders. So I've been trying to remove the pistons and rods or the crank from the block. The crank won't turn with Marc putting pressure on a ? 4 ? foot cheater bar. Marc is a big dude. You can't get to all of the connecting rod bolts, only some of them. So I removed both nuts from one of the rods (damn that sounds funny) and took a hammer and tapped on a wood stick that was on the piston - it didn't come out. So I then took a much bigger hammer and hit the wood stick and broke the wood stick. I then took a 1/2 ratchet extension and hit it with my little hammer. Didn't come out. I then took the 1/2 extension and ligtly hit it with a sledge hammer. Didn't come out. I then took the sledge and beat the livin sh!t out of it. Didn't come out - in one piece. Knocked the top of the piston right off the piston. The rod still didn't come out, but it gave me a clear view of what was going on.

I was basically beating the shit out of my block with a connecting rod. But I have to admit, it got rid of a lot of stress.  :screwy:

[attachimg=#]

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Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: pw_Tony on February 12, 2008, 06:41:27 PM
Not sure how to get the crank out. Looks like you've lubed it all up pretty good already with WD40.

For the pistons I've always used an air hammer or paint scrapper. But looks like you've already broken most of them.
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: OC2Vegas on February 12, 2008, 06:44:31 PM
Holy Crap, why would someone just let the engine rust out? Person doesnt deserve to have a car :banghead: :screwy:
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: hotrod56cars on February 12, 2008, 06:45:04 PM
I want to cut all of the rods with a torch but I'm not sure if that will screw up the block more.
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: 2savage4you on February 12, 2008, 06:48:25 PM
Last time i got a 454 that sat a long time and was locked up solid, i soaked it with tranny fluid overnight and no problem the next morning.

2sav











Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: speedymopars on February 13, 2008, 07:49:03 AM
liberal amounts of penetrant over several days should do it.
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: hotrod56cars on February 13, 2008, 08:14:44 AM
Using a 4' pry bar and a lot of patience I eventually got the block dissassembled. It's sitting on the garage floor waiting for a check from Uncle Sam. I never did get the crank to turn and I never figured out why, the bearings and crank both look good, must have been the rust in the cylinders.
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: 2savage4you on February 13, 2008, 08:28:32 AM
Damn Rod, good luck with your new build ;)  I just hope im done with all this building shit...as long as this 454 i just bought will move the boat..im happy...then during the off season im going BIGGER ;D

i cant help it :banghead:
2sav
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: enginedoctor on March 22, 2008, 11:21:54 AM
i have been thinking about your block. as an engine builder,i would suggest that you have that block magnafluxed and pressure tested for crack/flaws before you go further.any questions feel free to call me at 714-8799671
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: hotrod56cars on March 22, 2008, 11:36:40 AM
It's at Ed Hale's machine shop right now, hot tanked, magnufluxed, bore, hone, cam bearings/freeze plugs/oil plugs. I haven't received a phone call from them yet, hopefully all goes well.
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: GAWnCA on March 22, 2008, 02:14:55 PM
I bought a complete engine. 454 with 4 bolt mains. Rust in the cylinders. So I've been trying to remove the pistons and rods or the crank from the block. The crank won't turn with Marc putting pressure on a ? 4 ? foot cheater bar. Marc is a big dude. You can't get to all of the connecting rod bolts, only some of them. So I removed both nuts from one of the rods (damn that sounds funny) and took a hammer and tapped on a wood stick that was on the piston - it didn't come out. So I then took a much bigger hammer and hit the wood stick and broke the wood stick. I then took a 1/2 ratchet extension and hit it with my little hammer. Didn't come out. I then took the 1/2 extension and ligtly hit it with a sledge hammer. Didn't come out. I then took the sledge and beat the livin sh!t out of it. Didn't come out - in one piece. Knocked the top of the piston right off the piston. The rod still didn't come out, but it gave me a clear view of what was going on.

I was basically beating the shit out of my block with a connecting rod. But I have to admit, it got rid of a lot of stress.  :screwy:

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

Now what's the matter with those?  They look fine to me.  Put some WD-40 on 'em and slip them back in and go run.  LMAO!!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Piston removal
Post by: UNDONE on March 25, 2008, 08:14:43 PM
For future reference.... Diesel or kerosene will make easy work of rusty motor dissasembly...
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