worked on the 30 L

[brian1855]

Pulled the head. Started removing rust. Soaking pistons with penetrating fluid. I broke one head stud. Any advice on that? Will start working on pistons with a block of wood and small hammer with patience. Brian

 

[casecollectorsc]

I always put a steel 1/2 slug a little smaller than the piston and a 2 1/2 " shaft to hammer on with3# hammer. Vibrates it more than a wood block. Hammer on all 4 to get it moving either way, they eventually come loose. Clean sleeve real good above piston and pour isopropyl alcohol in sleeve 1" deep,and 24 hours later looks like dissolved rust around edge of piston. Done 25 or more this way!

 

[caseman-d]

Why the big gap between #3 and #2 pistons?
caseman-d

 

[casecollectorsc]

Got to have room for the center main bearing.

 

[RGMartin]

(quoted from post at 22:29:53 09/06/12)
I broke one head stud.

lay down a 7/16" flat washer(actual 1/2" hole), then lay a 1/2" grade 8 nut on top of the broken stud. Weld the nut to the broken stud, more amps than you think you need to make sure you penetrate the stud good. The heat will help break it free. Once it cools work it back and forth a bit and it will probably come right out.

 

[Ron Sa]

RG's plan on the stud removal is a good one. I would use a size larger nut over the washer (5/8 and not worry about the grade) This takes longer of fill the hole in the nut with weld and thus more heat into the stud.

A trick worth remembering, when trying to get the pistons unstuck, is loosen the two rod caps half way that are on their down stroke. Thus, all the cranking force to bust loose is applied only to the two pistons on their up stroke.