I'll see if I can get a day pass from the wife to come out.

 

I plan on attending, but it will probably be after noon before I make it over.

 

Dishwashers are great for cleaning engine parts :-)

 

Guys, my wife goes kinda screechy when I bring in little plastic parts to wash in the sink. If I brought the block or cradle in and stuffed it in the dishwasher, or tried to bathe with it, I'd be pummeled. Luckily, it's warm enough down here to do a lot of work with the hose, and various cleaners. Hard on the lawn, but good for the marriage.

 

Doc, I will be there but I HAVE to get my tranny filter done before I come over. It is just a leak thing with me!!! And yes I will pick up my shoes when I get there.

 

OK, see ya there. If you're leaking, well, I guess try some Penicillin.

 

I see how it is, you don't want to leak at Rogers, but when it is my spotless driveway............

 

HA HA THAT SUCKS!

I cracked up when i heard John deliver that line so nonchalant! That was hilarious!

 

I am sorry Doc, can't make it, I really wanted to be there. The tickets from this part of the US (no major airport) were over 800.00 ea. and the wife just put the foot down especially after she saw the most recent bill of many for parts.

Ya'll have fun...

 

No prob Dave, we'll catch ya another time. You have Sterlings great website, and I'll take some photos as well. Combined with he WSM instructions, just take it slow. Like the carpenter says 'measure twice, cut once.' I know you'll be fine.

 

Sean, In my defense (or in defense of my leaks) I did see that you had a powerwasher there. No lasting harm, no foul!

Doc, I tried Penicillin, but it seems I have a resistant strain. It seems that even penicillin will not cure terminal dumbass. LOL

 

Dave,

If you flew out from Florida for a tech session that would make me nervous if i was hosting it. I would have to make sure it lived up to your expectations, I would have to prepare a few Keynote presentations and all that stuff. I love the commitment though to even consider it.

If it was the weekend following i would probably make the drive up again, engine rebuilds are fun!

Doc, make sure and have someone taking pics that can be out of the way. Later you can post captions to any important info you come across. I have a bunch of pics and need to do the same thing.

 

Ryan,

Its like the further I get and the more I learn the more passionate I am about getting it right. And you are so right, I am really into the enjoyable part right now. I am cleaning up the pistons today (they look great) and hope to be installing rings by tonight. "Slow" as Doc says is the key for me, I am really taking my time and trying my best to make good decisions on every step.

Again, thanks for everyones support and help.

 

David, the smart deal for this is to rent a piston ring installer. Call around to Napa and a few places and find one. It'll be easier with the right tool.

Put the rigs on with the gaps evenly spaced apart. The top ring should be over near one of the exhaust valve cutouts, then the second ring 1/3 way around the exhaust side, and the oil ring gap up near the center of the intake valves. You can carefully put the rod in a vise with a piece of rag around it to hold it still while you put the rings on.

Make sure you get all the goo out of the ring grooves. I use a little 90Deg dental tool to get it all out. B-12 helps, and just wire wheel the crown of the piston. don't forget the little plastic hose on the shaft of the rod bolt to protect the rod journal when you put in the piston/rods. Just get it up around the journal, then pull off the hose and reuse it on the next rod. Try not to pound the rod caps on, as that distorts the radius of the rod cap.

I'll post more after this weekend with photos and some narative.

 

Autozone sells a $6 ring expander. Its a pair of funny looking pliers.

I honestly think it took me all of 10 minutes to install the rings, real easy.

Make sure you offset the rings 120 deg from one another as Doc said.