Stuck Piston
 

Hey All,

So I'm almost done tearing down my 8ba for my 50 Country Squire. I have all the pistons out except for the one up front. The others came out easily, but this one wont budge. I'm wary of using the heat wrench on it because of the block. Any advice would be welcomed.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

You want to save the piston ??
Otherwise a holesaw with a size just a tad bigger then the bottom of the ring grooves.
I added a plastic sleeve on the outside to center it and keep the teeth from hitting the cylinder walls.
Banging on pistons with the rings stuck is a recipe for breaking cylinderwalls...

Re: Stuck Piston
 

I took a piston out with a small cold chisel on a 90cc Honda dirt bike, the bike was left in a garage that had a hole in the roof and water leaked into to carb for years. When I got the piston out the rings looked like someone had arc welded them to the cylinder wall, luckily it all cleaned up with an over bore.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Thanks Guys! No, I don't want to keep the pistons. I want them out. Im planning on bringing the block to J&M Machine next week and having them bore the block.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Pour in a 50/50 mixture of acetone and ATF and let it set for a day or two.
Paul in CT

Re: Stuck Piston
 

>>>bringing the block to J&M Machine next week and having them bore the block.>>>

If the acetone/atf doesn't do it in a day or two, let the machine shop handle it. Jack E/NJ

Re: Stuck Piston
 

hickory block an bfh

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Sometimes works, but often splits the cylinder wall and destroys a block.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

If the piston is down several inches in the cylinder and the block can be taken outside try this. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61058

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Down side is the 8 to 10 hrs and then the week soak.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

But the pistons always come out with no cylinder wall damage.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Take a hammer and chisel and bust it out. No good anyway.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Apply heat.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

It works doesn't it. It works quicker than you think.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Heat to cast iron is ok when you have it under control.
If you heat above a certain level and cool uncontroled the grain structure of the castiron change...a slow fire shouldn´t be and issue but something to keep in mind when bringing the big torch out.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

i have used brake fluid and a pine stick as a wick.its a nice soft flame,heats real slow and even.works like a charm.just keep toppinf off brake fluid.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

I have always just pounded them out with a BFH after soaking for a while. Have never damaged a cylinder wall yet.

The valves are the real bastard on these things to get out.

Re: Stuck Piston
 

Get a drill and drill a series of holes through the top of the piston,then it will just fall out,no damage or drama.
Lawrie

Re: Stuck Piston
 

This works if a guy is fearful of the maple block and hammer method. I prefer the block and hammer - quick and easy.
If the block is that weak that'll crack from pounding out a piston, I say better find out now than later...

Re: Stuck Piston
 

If the one stuck piston doesn't show a lot of water/rust in the cylinder, then consider that the other 7 came out easily, so it will probably just take a LITTLE persuasion - not a lot of beating to get it out. Now - if the cylinder is the only one with obvious water damage, then things can be a bit tougher. I've always soaked mine with the ATF mixture and really never had much drama getting the pistons out - even with blocks that have had some water in a bore (not all rusted up - as I don't buy those!).