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Piston swap question

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 10:31 am
by jw_in_Cal
So I bought a '74 710 which had zero compression on cylinder #4. All other cylinders have 130-150. With the engine in place I removed the valve head and cylinder thinking it maybe a bad valve or broken rings. Well it is definitely broken rings but also a cracked piston sidewall. So easy enough, buy and install a new 93 or 93.5mm cylinder and piston, but...

Can I swap the #4 piston with the engine still in place? And if I can, any tips or tricks to pass along?

Cheers
Joe

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 1:40 pm
by Haf-e
I've done it. Can't think of any tricks required. Be sure to get exhaust studs as they usually butlst off.

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:27 pm
by rmel
Yes, you can tear down the top end and rebuild in place,
for any one or all of the cylinders needing an overhaul.

Tricks, yes. First recommend while #4 is out, replace the
push rod and oil return tube gaskets and O-rings. Note that
the washers on the push rod tubes are special and have a
very subtle concave shape. You want the "domed" part
facing the rubber washer to provide proper force from the inner
radius to the washer getting the higher part of the dome so that
there is a lateral force across the washer to seal properly. Make
sure you get the Silicon (orange) O-ring and not a substitute. Scott
at EI stocks the proper O-rings.

Replace the push rod housing gasket as well. The head will have
to be hand lapped to the steel cylinder since there is no head gasket.
Get some course and fine grit lapping compound, rotate the
head over the cylinder (on a bench) until there is a clear sign of a polished
surface 360 degrees arounf the head.

When reinstalling the cylinder into the block us a liberal amount
of Aviation grade shellac inside the engine wall and on the bottom
portion of the cylinder that fits into the block -- with the cylinders near
horizontal you will leak oil otherwise.

Assemble head snug not tight. Get a straight edge on the exhaust
ports and make sure the head is rotated in alignment with the other
ports, otherwise you may leak exhaust. Once reasonably aligned
snug up a bit more, add exhaust and intake, snugging them into
position. Now you can go back and torque the head proper -- it's
a relatively low torque given Aluminum heads. Tighten the header
and intake manifold. Now your in the home stretch.

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 10:18 pm
by jw_in_Cal
Thanks for the tips and guidance.
I haven’t work d with Circlips before.
Any good video showing the process?

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 10:48 pm
by kdiqq
jw_in_Cal wrote:Thanks for the tips and guidance.
I haven’t work d with Circlips before.
Any good video showing the process?
It's super obvious once you look at them, you won't have any trouble. Piston has a little recess, stick anything narrow in there. Pick, awl, tiny screwdriver, and just pop the circlip out. They are meant to be one time use. Just have new ones on hand.

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 11:21 pm
by jw_in_Cal
Great thanks

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 7:55 am
by one2many
Thanks rmel that is some great info...you just answered me a few questions that I've long wondered about. In particular I had previously thought that an alignment plate (Factory tool?) was required across all four heads to do this work. I suspected one (or all) cyl's could be aligned properly without the factory tool but it's great to KNOW it can be done....Awesome explanation of the process. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:24 pm
by jw_in_Cal
Ok, I finally have the parts. Everything else is removed and I'm ready to go. Since I'll be installing the cylinder onto the piston (I'm use to installing the piston into the cylinder) would the same piston ring compressor work or is there a specialized ring compressor tool I would need?

And as luck would have it as I'm doing this outside, it's suppose to rain the next few days so I have some time.

Cheers,
Joe

Re: Piston swap question

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 12:00 am
by rmel
No special ring compressor, Just use plenty of lub or Vaseline.
Gonna get pretty wet starting early in the morning. Good luck
and don't hesitate to PM me if you have any assembly questions.

cheers,

ron