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Any write ups for changing a piston?

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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 12:15 PM
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Default Any write ups for changing a piston?

Hey all, found a broken piston skirt in my oil pan yesterday. Cant tell if the cylinder is scratched or not. Not really sure exactly how to do this job but I know it's pretty intensive. I've been looking for a write up or something but haven't found a single thing. Anybody know of anyone thats done the job and wrote one?
BTW I know that ill have to take the piston somewhere to get pressed in and if the cylinder is scratched Ill have to find a way to bore it.

Also if anyone is in the Wilmington, NC area and know how to do this and wants to make a little cash, feel free to help me.

Thanks!
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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 12:22 PM
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Might want to make sure you don't have an ignition issue that wiped that slug. "Usually" pistons & rings are fitted to the bore, but if it's just a beater:
1. buy a standard bore
2. drive the wrist pin out & in
3. put the rings on it
4. slap it together
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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 12:24 PM
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What do you mean an ignition issue?
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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 12:28 PM
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Detonation.
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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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noway to do the repair from the bottom right?
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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 12:46 PM
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Not without pulling the entire crank. Usually, to swap a piston you want to have the oil pan off, pull the head, remove the connecting rod bolts and slide the piston out the top of the block. Re-install.

So, I was right about what you'd find in your oil pan?
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Old Sep 21, 2012 | 11:22 PM
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You don't need a writeup for that job - you need a service manual.

Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)

If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
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Old Sep 23, 2012 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by lowrange2
Not without pulling the entire crank. Usually, to swap a piston you want to have the oil pan off, pull the head, remove the connecting rod bolts and slide the piston out the top of the block. Re-install.

So, I was right about what you'd find in your oil pan?
Yep, you were very right haha. 6th cylinder piston.

Originally Posted by 5-90
You don't need a writeup for that job - you need a service manual.

Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)

If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
Well crap, I bought a haynes haha. But ill look around for a factory one
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Old Sep 26, 2012 | 09:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 5-90
You don't need a writeup for that job - you need a service manual.

Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)

If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
You know Chilton and Haynes are now the same company. So if possible look for the older Chiltons manual.
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Old Sep 26, 2012 | 09:46 PM
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I found a factory FSM on ebay for less than $10 shipped.
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Old Sep 26, 2012 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Outlaw Star
You know Chilton and Haynes are now the same company. So if possible look for the older Chiltons manual.
Figures. Who bought who?

I really miss the old Clymer manuals...
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Old Sep 26, 2012 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 5-90

Figures. Who bought who?

I really miss the old Clymer manuals...
Haynes bought Chilton. Here's the inside cover of the manual for my wife's car.
Attached Thumbnails Any write ups for changing a piston?-forumrunner_20120926_224916.jpg  
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Old Sep 26, 2012 | 10:30 PM
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Yea i got a hold of a fsm. I have a couple questions though, every manual seems to say something different. Upon reinstalling my head, do i have to get a new head gasket if nothings wrong with the one i have and also when reinstalling the rockerarms, do i have to find tdc of the first one?
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Old Sep 26, 2012 | 10:46 PM
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Originally Posted by mattphillips90
Yea i got a hold of a fsm. I have a couple questions though, every manual seems to say something different. Upon reinstalling my head, do i have to get a new head gasket if nothings wrong with the one i have and also when reinstalling the rockerarms, do i have to find tdc of the first one?
Yes, the only reusable gasket is the MLS (Multi Layered Steel) one. It can only be reused once. Just get a can of Copper gasket spray and coat both sides before reinstalling. This will help seal small scratches in the mating surfaces.
Technically, you're supposed to rotate the crank till the tension is off of the rocker and tighten it to 19ft lbs.
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Old Sep 27, 2012 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by mattphillips90
Yea i got a hold of a fsm. I have a couple questions though, every manual seems to say something different. Upon reinstalling my head, do i have to get a new head gasket if nothings wrong with the one i have and also when reinstalling the rockerarms, do i have to find tdc of the first one?
The only time I saw a reusable head gasket was in a 1943 IHC flathead six - the "gasket" was a stamped steel shim. Sand it clean, spray it with copper, put it back in.

I've heard that the MLS gaskets can stand one reuse, but I wouldn't do it. Cheaper and easier to replace the gasket than have to do the job over because a used gasket failed.

Don't forget that the cylinder head screws can only handle two full torque cycles (per FSM) on the 6-242. Paint the screws if they're not painted when you take them out, buy a new set if they're marked or you're not sure.

(Any bright colour of paint will do, and all you've got to do is mark the heads so you know next time.)
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