Tips/tricks for getting seriously stuck pistons out of the block

[Kube]

Tim, I hope for your sake, you will be more fortunate than I was the last time I'd attempted to save a block that appeared much like yours. After all the effort, a boiling and finally a pressure test, well, that block is now a boat anchor.

[Newc]

My problem is aluminum finned heads, some of the head studs have come out, but still stuck. Sharp's heads too !! Newc

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Newc

My problem is aluminum finned heads, some of the head studs have come out, but still stuck. Sharp's heads too !! Newc

Use an 11/16" deep hole saw on the offending studs and then use properly sized aluminum tube to bush the holes. This actually improves the stability of freshly installed heads as the holes are usually pretty sloppy from the factory.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Kube

Tim, I hope for your sake, you will be more fortunate than I was the last time I'd attempted to save a block that appeared much like yours. After all the effort, a boiling and finally a pressure test, well, that block is now a boat anchor.

Kube,

I'm kind of thinking this block will end up like your experiences. I'm going to give it a go since I'm so deep into it.

Tim