I've got a 468 BBC I'm tearing apart (see my other thread). If I decide to pull the pistons out - how do I do it? It seems like there might be a "ridge" at the top of the cylinder that is inhibiting the piston/rings from slipping right out. The motor only has about 2000 miles on it. Should I just "force" the pistons out or should I use a honing tool, steel wool, or very fine sandpaper to help remove the "ridge" on the cylinder wall before removing the pistons.

I've got a 468 BBC I'm tearing apart (see my other thread). If I decide to pull the pistons out - how do I do it? It seems like there might be a "ridge" at the top of the cylinder that is inhibiting the piston/rings from slipping right out. The motor only has about 2000 miles on it. Should I just "force" the pistons out or should I use a honing tool, steel wool, or very fine sandpaper to help remove the "ridge" on the cylinder wall before removing the pistons.

No sandpaper on the bores. If theyre that bad hanging up there you may have some bore problems that will need to be fixed.

The pistons will come out with some slight force. If you have any ridge you can feel at the tops of the bores you more likely have higher than 2000 miles, it was not built correct when it was done, or something like an excess fuel problem. You wont know until its all measured.

In any case they will need to be removed to be checked closely.

Your in a tough spot but regardless try to have a nice holiday!

Harry P.Hunter

Aggreed, put some rubber hose on the rod bolts then use a hammer handle to tap them out.

I wouldnt force it,you could ruin your rings and lands.Shouldnt have a ridge with that low a mileage but you still might need a ride reamer to get em out.

With the piston down, scratch your fingernail along the cylinder wall, if it gets caut near the top of the cylinder then there is a ridge, and depending upon how deep the wear is, you will need to use the ridge reemer that Doug talked about. remove the ridge, remove the pistons, and make sure you clean the pistons, rings, lands and all internal parts to make sure none of the filing are left behind after using the reemer.

If you have considerable ridges on tops all cyls i would question if motor was rblt at all,there shouldn't be ridges that lrg after only 2k miles IMHO.

Scott

Just a word of caution, if you haven't used a ridge reamer before. If you can do a practice run on another old un-needed block I'd recommend it. It's easy to gouge the bore more than necessary if you aren't careful.

Like a good carpenter, measure twice, cut once.

I just tore down 2 454s and pulled the pistons and used a soft blow hammer to tap the big end of the rod with the handle to get them out.:thumbsup:

If you have a ridge big enough to need a reamer you have a lot more than 2000 miles on it and it needs to be bored and new pistons put in it.

Most small ridges the rings will glide right over it, if it's big enough to catch a finger nail on you have lost your piston wall clearance anyway.