head swap

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by rnoel1969, Nov 4, 2003.

  1. rnoel1969

    rnoel1969 Well-Known Member

    thanks for the info. i have another question the 73 block is froze up and i cant turn the crank to remove two of the rod connector bolts also three cylinders had water in them and thier stuck pretty good. is there an easy way to remove the pistons? the cylinders i'm sure are going to have to bored out.
     
  2. Schurkey

    Schurkey Silver Level contributor

    I bought three Olds 455 blocks that had been opened up and put in a rural storage shed. Ever seen what mouse piss can do to a cylinder wall?

    I blew the pistons out with an air hammer and blunt bit. Some came out in pieces.

    Anything's possible with a big enough hammer.
     
  3. Leviathan

    Leviathan Inmate of the Month

    ...penetrating oil, a 4X4X4 block of wood, and a sledgehammer worked for me...
     
  4. Bryan

    Bryan Member

    I agree with Leviathan. If you're patient enough, you might not have to beat on it very hard at all.

    When I was a kid my uncle had a four cylinder Kawasaki KZ750 that sat for years and wouldn't turn over. He got it running by removing all the spark plugs and squirting WD40 in all the cylinders. He probably let it sit for a day or so to let it penetrate real well.
     
  5. 69GS400s

    69GS400s ...my own amusement ride!

    Marvel Mystery Oil works very well too
     
  6. signalz

    signalz The Duke of Torque

    The way to fight chemistry is with physics.

    That NAPA penetrating oil is what mechanics recommend around here.

    If the cylinder holds fluid, cover the piston, if not, spray daily.

    The secret is this: Let time do the work. Let the stuff set for as long as possible, at least a week. It is better if it was setting in the August sun. Periodically tap the piston with the block of wood and hammer to set up vibration, do this daily. Pray at night.
     
  7. rh455

    rh455 Well-Known Member

    GM dealers carry a product called GM Heat Valve Lubricant. It's used to free up those pesky heat valves after the exhaust manifold in the exhaust. Works really well, but DO NOT get any in your eye. As with anything, time will help(soaking). If all else fails, try a twelve pack of Miller Lite, larger hammer, and a bad attitude!
     
  8. rnoel1969

    rnoel1969 Well-Known Member

    thanks

    well all of you have great ideas and i have tilted the motor on the stand and sprayed one with wd40 and the other with marvelous mystery oil i'll let you all no which when worked the best.i am in no real big hurry to get the pistons out so i will tap each one in the morning and evening. until they do free up and come out. then i get to do the other piston on the other side of the block. this is where patience is trully a virture.
     
  9. 71GSX455-4SPD

    71GSX455-4SPD Nick Serwo Magic Car

    Hey Ron-

    A product called PB Blaster works real well at penetrating for fasteners that are froze up. I also used it in my motor after it was sitting for 20+ years. I squirted some in the spark plug holes every few days for a coupla weeks. Turned over no problem after that.

    Just another option...
     
  10. rnoel1969

    rnoel1969 Well-Known Member

    can you get that at an auto parts store. they wont budge yet.either one.
     
  11. 71GSX455-4SPD

    71GSX455-4SPD Nick Serwo Magic Car

    Ron-

    I bought the PB Blaster at an Autozone. Another good one is Kroil, if you happen to come across that product.

    Best of luck!
     
  12. rnoel1969

    rnoel1969 Well-Known Member

    thanks ken. i'll get some today. tell me about your car. back in the mid 80's i had found a 70 or 71 yellow GSX sitting in a body shop. i went to ask about it and the kid who owned it said he wanted 1200.00 dollars for it . i saved the money and went back to buy the car and said he didn't want to sell it. i wanted strangle him because i worked hard to save that money. i found my 69 stage 1 sitting in some guys front yard. i asked him if he wanted to sell it and he told me that if i could get the car off his front yard i could have it. so i did. for free. go figure.
     

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