#7 piston rod broke. Btll Curlee has replaced this piston and rod from the bottom without removing the engine from the car, has anyone else done it that way? Is it a difficult job? How much time does it take? Anything to watch out for?

 

How would you get the piston out with the CRANK in the way? I think you'll still need to remove the head. The bigger issue would be how could you reinstall it?

 

Just like installing or removing any other piston they would be pushed out the top of the engine. you would have to remove the cylinder head. Once you remove the cylinder head and oil pan, you would rotate the crankshaft for access, undo the rod bolts, (in this case probably not as the large end of the rod would fall out due being broke) and use a wood (hammer handle or similar) to push the piston through the top of the engine. When ready to reinstall you would use a ring compressor and push the piston and rod assembly back through the top of the engine. being carefull not to let the connecting rod gouge the cylinder wall during installation.

during an engine build the crank is alwatys the first componenet to go into the block anyway. the crank being in the way is not an issue as it is able to rotate.

 

He made it sound like he wanted to remove on #7 from the BOTTOM.

 

Right, that was my question. I understand it can be done from the bottom w/o removing the crank, or head.

 

Where in the world did I state that?? Ive never replaced a piston in an LS engine. My Buddy just replaced his #7 with the engine in place BUT,,, it comes out the TOP.

If I wrote something that made you think I did it from the bottom, show me where it is so i can go and correct it.

Unless the piston comes out in pieces, theres no way to bottom remove it.

BC

 

Had an 82 caddy cimmaron got for free(caddy's verson of chevy caviler) needed clutch and no compression #1 cyl. decided to do clutch first then. fix engine while clutch was out saw how ez to pull pan wanted to see if any debris in pan after pan was out and clutch was outi dropped crank and was able to remove piston from bottom worked ok in my case but just as much work.since bottom of car was apart thpught i would vsave little work but piston was hard to installand i don't see any benefit even in my case prob more work

 

you droped the entire crank with the engine in the car? that would have been interesting to watch you put the crank back in with the engine in the car. not impossible I suppose but definately not a one man job. Well, I suppose it could be but that would suck. Did you at least have a vehicle lift?

 

yeah I know I didn't mean to quote ya. I was directing my comment to the OP. to let him know that the piston does NOT normally if ever in my experience come out the bottom of the engine unless you want to create more work for yourself. I guess question would be if you do want to bring the piston through the bottom is whats easier pulling the crank or pulling the cylinder head(s) I would most definately pull the head(s)

 

So, we all agree that trying to replace a piston ONLY from the bottom is silly??

 

The factor for ANY piston on ANY automotive piston engine coming out the bottom with the crank in place is so high I don't know how to measure it. It ain't happening with the piston in one piece with the crank in place.

Charlie

 

Bill Curlee----My Bad sorry I thought you meant from the bottom. OK guys thanks for the replys. Now I have a full understanding.

 

Even with the crank out it's still impossible to remove any piston I've ever seen in one piece, the mains get in the way.

 

it was def. not my game plan when i started job,plan was clutch first complete THEN do motor work..motor work plan was fix dead cylinder,new oil pump new timing chain,,,, after tranny was out...ez acess to timing chain and oil pan... as chain was off and clutch out pulled crank as only thing holding in was rod and main caps pushed good pistons up in boreand pulled bad piston out from bottom piston came right out,something had got into motor and damaged piston(no air filter on car when i got it)hard part getting piston back in used feeler gauges and screwdriver to work rings in but i got it in put crank back in by myself and no i didn't have a lift entire jod was done on jackstands lifting crank in was no prob. (it's a four cylinder remember) if i haqd to do again would pull entire motor and trans and work like a gentleman instead of crawling around on the floor like a reptile.Didn't know what to expect when first startedbut started right up and i commuted 4 years 90,000 miles...liked that car power everything stable on road very quiet but carb 1.8 left much to be desired power wise coupled with the fact that it had a particular 4 speed in that 1st 2nd 3rd were underdriven and 4th was overdrivenon long hills in 4th it would struggle but bdrop to 3rd it would scream25-30 more hp w/5 speed it would have been a very sweet car...sorry to ramble on but just goes to show how even the best laid plans go awray PS friend had tow truck crank broke replaced crank in chassis loosened tranny pushed back was able to disconnect flexplate pulled timing chain got crank out and new in and get this he used impact gun to put in rod and main caps said he knew the torque his gun put out entire job was done in less than a day and still running was he a very good mechanic or just lucky i say we were both lucky

 

Why even post about doing it on a 4-cylinder? It's not at all the same thing as a LS1. That's just adding useless info to the this thread.

LS1 is top only.

How exactly is the piston going down out of the bottom in one piece?

http://www.precisionenginetech.com/p...tachment/ls16/

http://www.precisionenginetech.com/p...tachment/ls01/

All the bores are blocked by the mains.

Peter

 

Peter

WELL DONE!! BRAVO!! Exactly what this post needed!
Nuf said!

BC