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Old 01-14-2018, 02:18 PM   #1
30aadoodlebug
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Default 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.
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Old 01-14-2018, 02:30 PM   #2
flatheadmurre
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Default 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...
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Old 01-14-2018, 02:37 PM   #3
corvette8n
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Default 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.
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Old 01-14-2018, 02:39 PM   #4
30aadoodlebug
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Default 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.
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:18 PM   #5
1931 flamingo
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Default 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
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:33 PM   #6
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>>>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
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:35 PM   #7
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

hickory block an bfh
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:45 PM   #8
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

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hickory block an bfh
Sometimes works, but often splits the cylinder wall and destroys a block.
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:50 PM   #9
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Default 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
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Old 01-14-2018, 04:57 PM   #10
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

Down side is the 8 to 10 hrs and then the week soak.
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Old 01-14-2018, 05:13 PM   #11
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

But the pistons always come out with no cylinder wall damage.
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Old 01-14-2018, 09:40 PM   #12
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

Take a hammer and chisel and bust it out. No good anyway.
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Old 01-14-2018, 11:20 PM   #13
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

Apply heat.
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Old 01-15-2018, 03:52 AM   #14
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It works doesn't it. It works quicker than you think.
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Old 01-15-2018, 04:04 AM   #15
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Default 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 shouldnīt be and issue but something to keep in mind when bringing the big torch out.
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Old 01-15-2018, 02:16 PM   #16
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Default 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.
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Old 01-15-2018, 04:18 PM   #17
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Default 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.
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Old 01-15-2018, 05:43 PM   #18
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Default 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
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Old 01-15-2018, 06:30 PM   #19
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

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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
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...
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Old 01-15-2018, 07:33 PM   #20
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Default 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!).

Last edited by Bored&Stroked; 01-16-2018 at 10:02 AM.
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Old 01-16-2018, 01:29 AM   #21
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kube View Post
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...
If the cylinder has a taper and the piston rings are stuck in upper position...start multiplying the force of the hammer with the taper...no cylinderwall in the world will survive that.
If your lucky anything will work out fine...i canīt afford to break a customer engine so have to play it safe.
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Old 01-16-2018, 08:10 AM   #22
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

I'm not sure why you would want to gamble with damaging a block, unless you have access to a bigger supply than I can find! It is fairly simple to drill the center out of a piston to relive any pressure on the cylinder walls.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:08 AM   #23
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

I will admit I’ve always used the block and hammer method, never cracked one. But now that I know, I’ll be using the drill method. Besides, I’m sure the drill will be a lot easier on my bad shoulder.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:19 AM   #24
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

I stripped a very crusty UK built 21 stud and hit the heads of the pistons from underneath with a round punch and they popped right off. I tried this on a severely seized 59A and gave up as I was having to hit them so hard. Worth a try, though, if they pop off easily it makes it easier to get at the remnants.

Mart.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:35 AM   #25
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Default Re: Stuck Piston

The hardwood plug I used to use for beating never hit the domed piston where I wanted it to. To me the contact should be in a ring about 1/2" wide at the outer perimeter of the piston. I once had a heavy piece of pipe with a cap that worked well, but it became mashed and deformed. Now I use a plug I made from some 2" wide lead strip rolled up like a cinnamon roll to about 3" diameter. Then the hardwood beater on top. This delivers a blow quite evenly across the piston's crown. Hasn't failed me yet. In my fire I used mmo for fuel, and when that ran out I switched to atf and lastly brake fluid. Old shop rag for a wick.
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Old 01-16-2018, 12:38 PM   #26
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I suspect that a healthy whack or three to the center of the crown with a metal punch & hammer will shatter it into submission. Jack E/NJ
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