PseudoSport
PseudoSport HalfDork
7/27/14 2:04 p.m.

I'm thinking about building a budget Jeep inline 4.5L stroker engine for this years challenge. My problem is I need to swap 4.0L pistons onto a set of 4.2L rods. Is there a DIY way to remove the wrist pins and not damage the pistons?

gearheadmb
gearheadmb New Reader
7/27/14 2:19 p.m.

I just pressed my 351 pistons off of the rods, and destroyed one. A local engine shop pressed on the new set for like $35, so if you are planning on reusing the pistons it would be worth paying to have it done.

Slippery
Slippery HalfDork
7/27/14 2:28 p.m.

What about placing them in someone's oven for a few minutes and getting them warm? Maybe that helps.

patgizz
patgizz PowerDork
7/27/14 2:53 p.m.

machine shop

Curmudgeon
Curmudgeon MegaDork
7/27/14 3:42 p.m.

Pressing them off isn't that hard but putting them back together is best done with proper tools, like a rod heater.

The idea is to have a hot rod (heh heh heh) and a cold pin. Since the pin and the rod are both steel they expand at the same rate, thus putting them in an oven won't loosen them. I suppose it could be done with a torch but just seems to me it would be hard to heat them evenly.

iceracer
iceracer PowerDork
7/27/14 5:16 p.m.

I used to do them cold with out a problem.

Hardest part was making sure they are centered.

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