Piston damage repairable?
Piston damage repairable? Hey guys
Awhile ago an intake valve decided to break and bounce around in the cylinder before getting wedging into the intake seat.
I already got a used head and initially thought that I would have to drop the engine to replace the damaged piston (cylinder walls don't have a scratch on them).
However, I talked with a trusted mechanic and he thought the piston was repairable.
What do you guys think? Is the piston salvageable?
Thanks for your input
Awhile ago an intake valve decided to break and bounce around in the cylinder before getting wedging into the intake seat.
I already got a used head and initially thought that I would have to drop the engine to replace the damaged piston (cylinder walls don't have a scratch on them).
However, I talked with a trusted mechanic and he thought the piston was repairable.
What do you guys think? Is the piston salvageable?
Thanks for your input
If it is just surface damage, you might smooth it out and run it. It looks like it is cracked in the middle of the damaged area. That tells me the only way to properly repair would be to weld it. If you could actually do so successfully without removing the piston from the block, I still don't think it would be worth it unless those are some real pricey pistons.
So...why try to salvage something so damaged? Did this mechanic suggest it could be repaired without dismantling the engine?
So...why try to salvage something so damaged? Did this mechanic suggest it could be repaired without dismantling the engine?
Ya that's what I was thinking. Rather be safe than sorry.
And yes this mechanic (who isn't a ls mechanic, but has rebuilt a plethora of engines) suggested that the piston could easily be repaired without removing it. He is going out to the storage garage where my car is currently later this week and will measure the depth of the damage.
(Btw the mechanic is a neighbor and family friend that happened to take a look at my engine)
And yes this mechanic (who isn't a ls mechanic, but has rebuilt a plethora of engines) suggested that the piston could easily be repaired without removing it. He is going out to the storage garage where my car is currently later this week and will measure the depth of the damage.
(Btw the mechanic is a neighbor and family friend that happened to take a look at my engine)
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I'm with mercier, that piston looks like it's cracked. I would go ahead and replace it now. If you try to run that, you are probably going to have to replace the whole engine later.
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I'd bet a million dollars the rod is bent to some degree. I bean down this road a few times...........I learned the hard way to replace the piston and rod when there is this type of damage. Rods bend ALOT before they break.
Good to know. Could I replace just this rod and piston if the others are fine? Or will that throw off the balance or anything else?
Also, I'm assuming it's possible to take off the k member , unbolt the oil pan and hammer out the piston from below without removing the engine....
Also, I'm assuming it's possible to take off the k member , unbolt the oil pan and hammer out the piston from below without removing the engine....
Seems like the balance would be off. Perhaps you could find a whole stock used set(still likely cheap) and reinstall the piston/rod from the set that is closest in weight to what came out. Maybe I am over(or under?)-thinking it though.