Rod Caps stuck on a 40

[jdpackfan]

A friend of mine is helping a neighbor with a model 40. He has the rod bolts off,and feels a small amount of play in the cap but it will not budge when he tried to separate it from the rod and crank. He has also tried to drive the piston up from the bottom with a piece of hickory but still no luck. It's the same on both. The parts manual shows no locks or anything that may be hanging him up. These should fall out......anyone run into this? He's done many and engine overhaul but this has us stumped. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Gordon

 

[Rusty wheel]

The caps can bind up pretty good on the rod studs. Try tapping on the studs lightly and see if the caps free up or tap on the caps. Make sure the caps are square with the studs.

 

[M-MAN]

Screw the nuts back on to protect the threads. Then use a brass drift to drive the rod bolts out.