Pistons Out

[Will Eastman 6]

Hey i was asking on another forum about the thought of redoing my engine (replacing piston rings) and i got this answer

 

Take the head off,undo the big end bolts and push the piston and rod up and out the top. Same way you`d do them if the engine was out!!

Ive just changed the pistons in my 8v cav for 16v ones to up the compression ratio,took about 6hrs all done.

 

Can i really just get them in n out with the engine in the car?

[gtmotorsport 0]

I may get shot to bits here, but if it is a wet liner engine then NO.

 

I know people have the heads off and on without looking at the seals, but I have never risked it. The only thing I did risk was pattern part liner seals, lets just say never again. If it was me regardless of the engine I would usually do it with the engine out to gain better access and the ability to look over things better. Also with new rings I would fit new bottom end bearings, they will have worn as well. Trouble is you always get to a point where your doing a small rebuild.

 

Just my thoughts and probably of many others that have had the joys of the little TU's.

 

 

[welshpug 1,661]

Yes you can do it in the car, even with a wet liner engine, though you have to be sure that no contaminants are getting where they shouldn't be, as you can imagine the engine bay of a 20 year old car is not the ideal place to be playing with engine internals, especially outside!

 

What with the relatively small and light nature of the TU alloy engine (at least compared to an iron XU16v!) I'd just whip it out and crack on in the warmth of the garage/kitchen/living room...

 

As mentioned above, if the rings need doing, what about the stem seals, big end and main bearings etc.

[Will Eastman 6]

Thanks, Where would you recomend getting parts from to do this, and what kinda things will i need to buy for this, i know piston rings head gaskegets but are there any other thing that need replacing to get the engine back in and going? Thanks

[R.G_205 0]

im doing pritty much the same thing. i would deffenetly take the engine out to save the agro of rolling around on the floor and like welshpug said a 20 year old engine bay isnt the best place for a engine rebuild. me and a mate timed our selvs and had the engine and box on the bench in 35 mins flat and once you take the gear box off the engine is reasonably easy to shift around and get stuck in hope this helps

 

rod

[gtmotorsport 0]

Your probably going to have to get the engine out and take a look over parts and then go from there with a shopping list. You may find worst case that you need to have the crank re-ground (unlikely), but as a start I would say you will be looking at the following as a minimum.

 

Engine gasket set (ideally Genuine, but if cost is a big thing good pattern parts)

Genuine wet liner seals (don't use pattern part ones, learnt my leason!)

Head bolts (in my eyes never worth re-using) - Make sure if possible you get the bolt specific torque instructions (Haynes manual isn't always best)

Piston rings - local engine builder / rebuilder should be able to help

Big end bearings - same as rings (plus they will advise on the crank if your not sure)

Shell bearings - as big ends

Valve lapping kit - Halfords or motor factors

Fresh fluids

 

Hope this helps, also maybe worth a chat with Sandy Brown (Sandy309). He is very busy as usual, but has a wealth of knowledge with the TU's and builds some reliable high powered units.