Stuck Piston

Kube said:
This works if a guy is fearful of the maple block and hammer method. I prefer the block and hammer - quick and easy.
If the block is that weak that'll crack from pounding out a piston, I say better find out now than later...
Click to expand...

If the cylinder has a taper and the piston rings are stuck in upper position...start multiplying the force of the hammer with the taper...no cylinderwall in the world will survive that.
If your lucky anything will work out fine...i can´t afford to break a customer engine so have to play it safe.
 
I'm not sure why you would want to gamble with damaging a block, unless you have access to a bigger supply than I can find! It is fairly simple to drill the center out of a piston to relive any pressure on the cylinder walls.
 
I will admit I’ve always used the block and hammer method, never cracked one. But now that I know, I’ll be using the drill method. Besides, I’m sure the drill will be a lot easier on my bad shoulder. :)
 
I stripped a very crusty UK built 21 stud and hit the heads of the pistons from underneath with a round punch and they popped right off. I tried this on a severely seized 59A and gave up as I was having to hit them so hard. Worth a try, though, if they pop off easily it makes it easier to get at the remnants.

Mart.
 
The hardwood plug I used to use for beating never hit the domed piston where I wanted it to. To me the contact should be in a ring about 1/2" wide at the outer perimeter of the piston. I once had a heavy piece of pipe with a cap that worked well, but it became mashed and deformed. Now I use a plug I made from some 2" wide lead strip rolled up like a cinnamon roll to about 3" diameter. Then the hardwood beater on top. This delivers a blow quite evenly across the piston's crown. Hasn't failed me yet. In my fire I used mmo for fuel, and when that ran out I switched to atf and lastly brake fluid. Old shop rag for a wick.
 
I suspect that a healthy whack or three to the center of the crown with a metal punch & hammer will shatter it into submission. Jack E/NJ
 
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