removing conrod bolts without splitting the block

[dubbedup]

Im going thru the process of rebuilding a motor and in discussion last nite i was asking my mate how i go about putting the pistions back in and he said there was a trick so you dont have to take them out, i have removed sump and can access all conrod bolts bar piston number one but he said there is a trick to get them, sooo.... does anyone know this trick or am i best to split the block right from the start?

[Stoffa]

I've pulled a couple of engine apart now and I'm 99% sure it cant be done. The pistons aren't hard to remove.

surely if your getting that close to having to motor stripped down you'd get your clearances checked and new bearings in wouldn't you?

[dubbedup]

yep this is my 1st (subaru) rebiuld so we just going to do bearings as the bores seem to be good and had good compression, just didnt want to have to redo rings if i can avoid it, am planning to get it all checked by a professional jsut wanting to save as much moneys as possible, and if i have to take it in to the reconditioners in bits i will.

If i pull pistons out can i reuse the rings or is it like H/gaskets jsut replace them to save any issues?

other cars i have done BEB on i have left pistons in teh block and dropped crank( altho i realise suby very much different!)

[Stoffa]

you can reuse rings no problems but one the block is apart its probably only $200 tops to get re-honed and not much more for brand new rings.

best thing to do is talk to an engine builder about it, they wont have any problems giving advice

[nzkaosnz]

hmm, you could leave pistons in bores removing wrist pins theoretically. Just dont turn the crank more than you have to after taking one out.

[log1call]

You should change the rings.

First off, how do you think you are going to get all the metal out of the motor with the pistons still in there?

And, if you do the rings, bearings, valve grind, seals and gaskets, it should all wear out together.

Doing half the job is just looking for trouble.

[Guest]

A bit like doing headgaskets with the engine still in the car... just cause you can, doesn't mean that its' going to be easier!

[Guest boostin]

Have you got the wrist/gudgeon pins out??

[dubbedup]

 boostin said:

Have you got the wrist/gudgeon pins out??

just taken heads off so far, jsut waiting on more time at this stage.

[Guest SPANKU]

i find that youtube clip very handy. before i just use a long thin rod and knocked off from the side of the block. after seeing that clip i made the same kinda tool and since then used that. i can get some photo of it. its a DYI home made one.

[Guest boostin]

Well you need to get those pins out first. There are 4 hex plugs to remove, 12mm allen key from memory. Then line up the pin and pull out the clip. Then you push the pin out from the other side. You have to split the block to get to the conrods.

[dubbedup]

 boostin said:

Well you need to get those pins out first. There are 4 hex plugs to remove, 12mm allen key from memory. Then line up the pin and pull out the clip. Then you push the pin out from the other side. You have to split the block to get to the conrods.

Spanku - please post a pic of your tool ;D

Boostin - will have a look, thanks

everyone else - thanks

[Guest boostin]

You wanna see his tool? You're entering dangerous territory here...

[dubbedup]

 boostin said:

You wanna see his tool? You're entering dangerous territory here...

its all in the name of fun!

[Guest]

The largest nail you can find held in a pair if vice grips removes those gudgon pins perfectly. Depending on the nail design you might need to give it a tickle up with a file but when slide down the inside of the pin the head of the nail slips under the bottom of the pin allowing removal. Done dozens like this.

[Stoffa]

I used a piece of bamboo, cos it bends around the rod when its all lined up with the hole, and knocked them out from the oppisite side.

[Guest SPANKU]

the hex key is 14mm

[mattapo]

I just got some rod the size of the hole in the gudgon pin, ground some out of it leaving a hook in the end, put that through, put a bit of wire through behind it an they pull out easy as, i'll try to get a pic of it for ya