Has anyone ever put new pistons in with the block in the car

[DeadsEvolution1]

Just curious if anyone has put in new rings and pistons in with the block in the car? I was thinking about trying it. Machine shop said cylinder walls look good don't need to do anything

 

[ziggo0]

If that's the case you can. Just be pretty careful when doing so. One thing I would check is how round your cylinders are with a dial bore gauge...if they've ovaled out at all your new pistons/rings won't be happy and could cause a lot of problems in the future.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Will it be harder to do than if I pull the motor?

 

[roughidle]

It would be very easy to do with the motor in the car. but I would suggest removing the bar the front motor mount is attached to as well as the downpipe. It will make life a lot easier.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Ok thanks! A lot I'm glad it'll be easy!

 

[BIRDCLAWTSi]

you have to hone the cylinders with a bottle brush so the rings have a way to break in. but it is easy to do rings and pistons with the engine in the car. you just get dripped on continuosly.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Bottle brush? Lol I'm not sure what that is

 

[JuGs]

Yeah its bretty easy. Time consuming though but no issue with motor in. While at it replace rad beaings hell even throw some arp's in there. If your deciated and know what your doing and have every part/tool ready it will take a day of work to do. Also a bottle brush hone is the easiest hone to use or you can just use the normal hone both work fine just one takes a bit more skill to use. I dont know how good or what you know about car but when you got to hone the cylinders keep the well lubed during the process ans make sure you spray the crank clean when all is done before reassemble.


I also have a question for you. Do you have the BS elimated? If not While your doing all thagt work better off taking them out(front one only) I hear you can do that with motor in also.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Yes I have the balance shafts removed, first mod I did on first swap. But clean it with brake cleaner? Or what? Also honing brush? Parts store?

 

[92AWDHX40]

Ive dont it before when i had a problem, just popped them out and put them back in again.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Removing that crossmember bar how does the engine stay supported than?

 

[JayRolla]

Yes you can remove the crossmember as long as you keep the motor mounts installed. What you are doing is what I did on my first build over 8 years ago when I had damage on the pistons due to the timing breaking causing valves to hit the pistons.

 

[JuGs]

Yes parts stores will have a hone you can use. Any spray lube will work when you go to hone the cylinders. And yes break cleak or any other type of spray cleaner will work. Make sure its completly evaporated before you start to reinstall everything andl clean the cylinder wall befor the crank. You will also need some assembly lube for the bearings and remember to hand crank the motor before you start the car( helps for checking the timing)

 

[roughidle]

I've heard the hone they are talking about also called a "berry brush" Instead of the normal 3 stone hone, it has many spherical stone balls around the outside diameter. You will need to get the specific one for the diameter of the cylinder. There are ranges of sizes 3.5 to 4 inches for example. I was also always told to use automatic transmission fluid when using the hone as well. Not to say that the other guys are wrong, this is just what I was told to use. Pretty much anything that can lubricate the cylinder jacket and dissipate the heat will work. Good luck with the job.

 

[DeadsEvolution1]

Just wondering how should I support the engine. Without the cross member bar which is the main support of the engine correct. So how will I support it up.

 

[JAXWHITE1G]

There is a motor mount on the drivers side on the block and a mount on the transmission that will support the engine when the lower cross member is removed.
To prevent unwanted vibation the front motor mount needs to be adjusted acording to factory specifications.

Mike

 

[falcon8r]

I've heard the hone they are talking about also called a "berry brush" Instead of the normal 3 stone hone, it has many spherical stone balls around the outside diameter. You will need to get the specific one for the diameter of the cylinder. There are ranges of sizes 3.5 to 4 inches for example. I was also always told to use automatic transmission fluid when using the hone as well. Not to say that the other guys are wrong, this is just what I was told to use. Pretty much anything that can lubricate the cylinder jacket and dissipate the heat will work. Good luck with the job.

Here is the type of resurfacer to use . If it was a bad bore, it is possible to use a boring bar on the engine in the car. The flexhone will do the job most of the time. Look on the website how to get the proper pattern/finish. It was stated above to check the bore taper. If it is off, blowby will be the result. Tres... Flexhone for Cylinders - Instantly improve Ra and surface finish!

 

[AndrewD5418]

I heard that it was pretty rare for these motors cylinder walls to get out of round though.