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Old 10-05-2019, 07:30 PM   #1
lalkie
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Default #4 Piston Removal

I have a 38 ford with a bad wrist pin in #4. Is it possible to remove the piston from the bottom so I don't have to take off the head? The engine was rebuilt about 2-years ago and runs fine with the exception of #4. Compression is good and plugs clean. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Larry
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Old 10-05-2019, 07:49 PM   #2
Andy
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

Not a very good plan. The piston will not come out the bottom.
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Old 10-05-2019, 10:14 PM   #3
deuce_roadster
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

What is the concern about removing the intake and 1 head? Do it right.
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Old 10-05-2019, 10:50 PM   #4
cas3
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

i drove an old 77 white truck for ten years with a knock that had been going on for years before i got in it, thought to be a wrist pin. cummins 250 diesel, probably 100k miles of knocking and still ran fine when they sold it. just a fun story, but i agree with the others-take the head off and see for sure whats going on
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Old 10-06-2019, 08:26 AM   #5
Ol' Ron
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

How do you know it's a wrist pin??
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Old 10-06-2019, 09:58 AM   #6
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

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Pulling a head is a way lot easier than pulling a crankshaft. You can short cut some things but engine bottom end work, not so much. If the cylinder is damaged then it will get even more complicated.
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Old 10-06-2019, 01:25 PM   #7
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

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Originally Posted by Ol' Ron View Post
How do you know it's a wrist pin??


I'm with Ron. VERY unusual for a wrist pin to be loose, if it was ever 'right' in the first place.
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Old 10-07-2019, 06:34 AM   #8
Frank Miller
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

Even if it could come out from the bottom it won't be going in easy from the bottom.
I once reconditioned a rod for an MG or Triumph, I forget by getting the piston low enough to remove the wrist pin. Needed a special pair of snap ring pliers. There was not ebough room to get the piston past the webbing.
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Old 10-07-2019, 07:13 AM   #9
lalkie
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

Looks like it will come out from the top. I was just trying to look at all options. Experience tells me it is a wrist pin. It has had the noise for quite a while and never gets any worse. It does not sound like piston slap as I have had an engine with that problem. Thanks for the responses. Larry
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Old 10-07-2019, 07:19 AM   #10
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by lalkie View Post
I have a 38 ford with a bad wrist pin in #4. Is it possible to remove the piston from the bottom so I don't have to take off the head? The engine was rebuilt about 2-years ago and runs fine with the exception of #4. Compression is good and plugs clean. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Larry
In the words of an old philosopher (me). "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
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Old 10-07-2019, 07:10 PM   #11
drolston
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

Ditto Ron. What is the basis for your diagnosis? Valve noise can be mistaken for wrist pin. Check the valve clearance on #4 before you tear it down.
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Old 10-08-2019, 07:40 PM   #12
lalkie
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

sdI have been using the "if it ain't broke don't fix it for a few years" and it may last a few more years. Thanks for the responses. Larry
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Old 10-08-2019, 09:05 PM   #13
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

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Originally Posted by tubman View Post
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
I bought a running '57 Ranchero with a 292 back in the 70's. It had a little light tap in the top end. I ran the engine for quite a while. Then one day I was driving about 65 mph and suddenly I heard "th-th-th-BANG". I mashed the clutch, looked in the rear view mirror, and saw oil in the road behind me. The rod had broken below the piston and wiped out the block. I could wiggle the rod stub on the piston pin when I tore it down. My theory was that the bushing wasn't level on the pin and was causing the rod to bend slightly with every stroke, resulting in fatigue/failure.
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Old 10-08-2019, 09:39 PM   #14
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Default Re: #4 Piston Removal

Try shorting the spark on that cylinder while idling and hear if the noise changes.Cheers
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