Removing pistons from block in car.

[ace124]

Anyone tried to remove pistons from an engine with the head off, whilst the block is still in the car? Is there enough crossmember clearance to allow me to get to all the big ends? This is a 2 L car.
Customer has a suspect ring sealing issue with a newly built engine and id like to check before pulling the block.
Thanks

[bobplyler]

First you have to get the oil pan off. They say you can do it by loosening the crossmember without undoing the suspension, and drop the crossmember a little. I was redoing the suspension, so I had the crossmember off.

[ace124]

The sump isn't a problem, neither is the oil pump and drain tube. I've removed them before whilst in the car without dropping the cross member.
It's the rods/ pistons I'm concerned about. And then being able to torque the rods back to spec.

[Fi8spider]

Hi Ace..long time champ! I recently (about a year ago) replaced the big ends in my Spider with the complete engine (1756) in the car and also did the thrust washers too. Torquing up wasn't an issue.

I can't say I paid much attention to see if the pistons could be removed as I didn't have that in mind to do at the time. Joey was with me when we did it so I'll have a chat with him tomorrow and ask him if he recalls. Cheers, spy..

[ace124]

Gooday mate.
If you could get to the mains hopefully you can get to the rod bearings too. Pistons will obviously come out the top, I was concerned maybe the cross member may impede access to the rod caps below. I'm pretty sure Joey would remember if it's possible.
Cheers mate and say hi to him too!

[Fi8spider]

Hi Ace, you may have mis read my reply.

I changed the big end bearings like you're asking about, not the mains.

I can confirm that you can remove the caps from all rods with the engine still in the hole on a 124 Spider, the cross member does not impede you from doing this at all.

Cheers buddy

[ace124]

Your right mate.
I did misread.
Great to hear it wont be too painful then.
cheers

[RRoller123]

So I am still confused, can you get the pistons out the bottom of the block (mine 2L), and reinstall them, with the block still in the car?

[Nut124]

So I am still confused, can you get the pistons out the bottom of the block (mine 2L), and reinstall them, with the block still in the car?

No

[RRoller123]

Good, that settles that.

Now, can they be removed and replaced from the top, while releasing the rod caps from below, without pulling the block?

[ace124]

Yes.
With head off you can get them out by undoing the rod bolts below.

[RRoller123]

Thanks

[Nut124]

OP, you are going to remove the head, all hoses and the oil pan and then work under the car trying to do precision work - right?

Why not just lift the engine out and do it the right way? Some times it is easier that way, actually.

I had an engine hoist back in the 90's but left it behind during a move.

Just bought a new one at HFT for $99. Another $70 for the stand.

On the stand, everything is easier.

Just a thought.

Nut124

[Odoyle]

+1 on just pulling the motor. Not hard with a hoist from Harbor Freight. Nice to have an extra hand or two. Leave the trans connected, factory manual suggest the same. Manual also suggests to have the front of the motor hoisted higher than the rear, for trans to clear easily. Remove shifter lever. Also, you loosen the motor mounts from underneath the car, through two holes on the bottom side of the cross-member.

[RRoller123]

I my case, we live in a condo with a very low ceiling in a very small garage, no heat and not even enough room for a workbench. I work on the concrete floor. We are not allowed to do any motor vehicle work in the driveway, so this is not an option. We will be moving eventually, but it may take a few more years. Good to know that you can remove the pistons in this manner.