any tricks??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
any tricks??
disassembled my short block for a re-ring job, but i cant get the old rings out of the pistons. anybody got any tricks? ive soaked them over night in a bucket of carb cleaner, and I boiled them for half an hour. nothings working.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 6
From: Irving Texas
DAAAAAAMN! I think this picture beat the twisted driveshaft pic in the parts disaster post!
My bet is that the piston top collapsed due to high pressure and squished the ring. I always replace the pistons on a rebuild..........and sell the pistons to the aluminum recycler for $5.........for beer!
My bet is that the piston top collapsed due to high pressure and squished the ring. I always replace the pistons on a rebuild..........and sell the pistons to the aluminum recycler for $5.........for beer!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
block was just honed. motor had been redone before apparently because the machine shop said the bore was already at 4.001 i gave it to them. It cleaned up at 4.003. Im trying to just do a re-ring job. obviously i have to replace this piston, but i dont want to have to buy 8 new ones and have everything rebalanced. I might as well get performance stuff at that point, and i dont have the cash right now.
SO.. any tricks for getting rings out?
SO.. any tricks for getting rings out?
Last edited by dp9; Aug 23, 2010 at 09:35 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
It probably won't be just one piston that way. I've honestly never seen one that didn't come out pretty easy...which leads me to believe that a) there are other issues and b) I wouldn't expect the rods/crank/etc. to be in very good shape either.
The shop can take the one piston and weigh it, find a piston that's close and then weight-match the piston. I'm assuming when you talk about rebalancing, the assembly is already balanced? I'm not sure what all was done here...
You can get some pretty darn inexpensive "rebuilder" cast pistons...and still be better off than doing a re-ring. But honestly - with around .004 clearance or better (clearance is generally built into the piston) you shouldn't expect this to last very long
But we've had that discussion before - so I'll just sincerely wish you good luck 
The shop can take the one piston and weigh it, find a piston that's close and then weight-match the piston. I'm assuming when you talk about rebalancing, the assembly is already balanced? I'm not sure what all was done here...
You can get some pretty darn inexpensive "rebuilder" cast pistons...and still be better off than doing a re-ring. But honestly - with around .004 clearance or better (clearance is generally built into the piston) you shouldn't expect this to last very long
But we've had that discussion before - so I'll just sincerely wish you good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
b) I wouldn't expect the rods/crank/etc. to be in very good shape either...
the assembly is already balanced? I'm not sure what all was done here...
But honestly - with around .004 clearance or better (clearance is generally built into the piston) you shouldn't expect this to last very long
the assembly is already balanced? I'm not sure what all was done here...
But honestly - with around .004 clearance or better (clearance is generally built into the piston) you shouldn't expect this to last very long
stock rotating assembly. balanced at the factory i assume, or when ever it was rebuilt. either way, i wasnt going to change out any parts.
The drag guys run that much clearance or more. Im comfortable with it. yes i know there are differences btwn drag and street motors, but like i said, im comfortable with the clearance.
Back on topic: ANY TRICKS?!?!?!? i dont want to give up easy. help me out here guys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 487
From: Salmon Arm, BC
set them on a hot plate with the rod up......aluminum expands faster than the ductile iron of the rings so maybe you can get the ring gap to open a smidge......enough to get the rings out.
Major WAG
Major WAG
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Stock rotating assy's aren't balanced; the setup is within a certain bobweight and called "close enough".
Racers run forged pistons, which are set up with very wide piston/bore clearances as they expand far more...stock, cast pistons are set up with .00075 - .001 clearance. But if you're comfortable...
Signing off
Racers run forged pistons, which are set up with very wide piston/bore clearances as they expand far more...stock, cast pistons are set up with .00075 - .001 clearance. But if you're comfortable...
Signing off
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
what is this, the third time i have to ask? I dont want to be a dick, but I didnt ask for a critique of this build. I'll throw up a thread later for you guys to lace into me about all the ish you dont like. ::sigh:: i know, i should be used to this by now. I'M WILLING TO DO THINGS THAT YOU WONT LIKE. now that we're passed that..
anyone have any tricks to get rings off the pistons?
*EDIT: its late, im tired, and angry. consider this post qualified.
anyone have any tricks to get rings off the pistons?
*EDIT: its late, im tired, and angry. consider this post qualified.
Last edited by dp9; Aug 23, 2010 at 11:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
I'll give that a shot with one. Ive boiled one for half an hour and it didnt help. someone on another board recommended freezing them, so i threw the one in the pic (b/c the 2nd ring is still on there) into the freezer to see what happens.
thanks for the input.
thanks for the input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
If you're now buying pistons bore the block; around here it's $100 w/o deck plates! 0.004" over is way too much. It will sound like my Cummins diesel & won't last long. AND then you will get to do it all over again real soon if you don't.
Here's a decent set with rings for $164. The FT piston will give you a bit more compression too.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRW-8KH345NCP30/
Here's a decent set with rings for $164. The FT piston will give you a bit more compression too.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRW-8KH345NCP30/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Don't get mad at the guys. They are just trying to save you money and trouble. It cost more to do it wrong and have to do it over than to do it right the first time.
You rings are more than likely rusted and the aluminum of the pistons corroded. All it takes is a little moisture for this to happen. They can be almost impossible to get apart if that is the case and even if you do the ring lands will not seal to a ring again. The rings have to seal to the piston as well as the cylinder wall. That along with the excess clearance is just asking for trouble.
You rings are more than likely rusted and the aluminum of the pistons corroded. All it takes is a little moisture for this to happen. They can be almost impossible to get apart if that is the case and even if you do the ring lands will not seal to a ring again. The rings have to seal to the piston as well as the cylinder wall. That along with the excess clearance is just asking for trouble.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,504
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
The ring lands are most likely collapsed, so even if you do get the rings off, the pistons are still junk.
As for the bore, you've got more clearance than cast pistons will handle. The skirts will collapse in very little time.
As for the bore, you've got more clearance than cast pistons will handle. The skirts will collapse in very little time.
