BLOWN PISTON! What do i do now?

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by 68riviera430, May 11, 2010.

  1. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    One of the best engine building manuals for the Nailhead is the original Buick Chassis Service manuals. The 1966 manual is online at
    www.teambuick.com
    It's in the reference section.:TU:
     
  2. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    thanks guys. Ill be reading up:beer
     
  3. 87GN@Tahoe

    87GN@Tahoe Well-Known Member

    Jus doo iet:TU:

    I am going to try to pull that rod and piston today

    wes
     
  4. mjt

    mjt Well-Known Member

  5. r0ckstarr

    r0ckstarr Well-Known Member

    Finally! :TU:
     
  6. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    Well im glad I listened to you guys and pulled all 8, another one had a broken ring.
    Purchasing new rod bearings, new cylinder 7 piston, and new rings for all 8 pistons.
    So I am thinking a re ring of all, quick honed cylinders and new bearings.
    I kind of am jammed on time, anyone know what a reasonable price would be for the machine shop to do all of this?
    Otherwise, if I do it myself, the only thing I wont be doing is putting the new rings on, anyone have an idea on the price for that?
    Thank you:beer
     
  7. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    OK,,, Adrian,,, the machine shop should be able to tell you the prices of what you want to do.... and I might add,,, prices are different in different parts of the country... right here in my town one shop is reasonable and one outragous... shop around,,,, but be carefull that you dont get a shop that wants to do a Buick engine like you do a chebby engine.... go exactly by Buicks specs....
     
  8. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    He's an old family friend who has a built 455 that he was showing me, he was telling ME about how there are differences between chevy and buick, which is good to hear cause I was worried just like you
    Ill be calling him tomorrow to figure out what he wants and see.
    On another note?
    Isnt it like 3 in the morning for you doc!?
    Or are you an "on call" doctor? hahaha :laugh:
     
  9. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Actually, Adrian, I am not a medical doctor,,,, that is my old railroad nickname,,,and yes , I woke up at 2;45 am and was pecking around on the computer untill I got sleepy again....
    Get your friend to show you how, and I mean, ''hands on'' how, to ''spin off and spin on'' a set of rings,,,,, and then how to install the made up piston/rod/ring assembly into the engine block,,,, that is the hardest part of engine building.... if you can do that you can build any engine....Well,,, then there is the cam bearings, but you can farm that out....btw never, never,,ever, rebuild any engine without installing new cam bearings,,,, they are necessary for an engine to have good oil pressure....dont let anyone talk you out of it.... I made that mistake once,,, rebuilt a big block ford engine, put everything in it except cam bearings, because an old mechanic told me that I didnt need to,,,, that engine had low oil pressure on start up and never had good oil pressure,, replaced the new oil pump that was in it and it still had low oil pressure...lesson learned...on a ford engine you have to pull it completely down to replace the cam bearings, so I just lived with it untill I traded it off....
    I bought the tool and now replace my own cam bearings....it aint that hard to do , but the tool cost $200....
    I think that you are making progress on your mechanics stuff, and will eventually get able to do all this stuff yourself because you seem eager to learn and not intimidated so much that you wont try....keep doing what you are doing.....
     
  10. cstanley-gs

    cstanley-gs Silver Mist

    Why wont you do the rings yourself?
    Just a matter of taking your time
    Muscle car show had a good segment on it a few weeks ago, maybe you can get the episode online on their website to watch it.
     
  11. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    Just watched the musclecar episode, seems like you basically just spin em on. Im a little intimidated because I reaaaaallly dont want to break one considering they dont even sell single ring kits.
    Another note, I want to clean all the carbon build up on the top of the pistons, is it ok to use a wire wheel attached to a drill to clean all that off. Also with the valves if I dont end up having the heads worked on.
     
  12. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    Yep you can use a wire wheel, or one of those scotchbrite wheels...
     
  13. 87GN@Tahoe

    87GN@Tahoe Well-Known Member

    CAREFUL!!! Your "quickie" rebuild can very quickly turn into a "while I'm at it" type of rebuild and spiral into a 2-year rebuild... just ask me how I know:eek:
     
  14. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    Oh, he knows! I've told him that a bunch so far. I think it's been sufficiently drumed into his head.
     
  15. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    U
    I think you've scared the while I'm at it out of me haha
     
  16. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    LOL :grin:
     
  17. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    Talked to the machine shop guy to let him know I pulled the rest of the pistons and got rings on the way.
    He advised me on a few things and I want to make sure you guys agree...
    I asked him about getting the heads clean, if they could just be dipped and get ready for paint. He said it would be a good idea to get them resurfaced and vacuum check the valves to make sure theyre ok.
    He also said that "stone" honing would be best to rehone the cylinders.
    He also wants me to bring by the rest of the pistons just to make sure they are really ok. (he said theres no charge for checking and advice)
    He is going to show me how to put the rings on when I get them, he offered, hes a cool guy.
    He knows im on a budget build and he is encouraging me to do a lot myself.
    Just wondering what you guys think and if there is anything else I should consider.
     
  18. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    Sounds good so far.

    Devon
     
  19. doc

    doc Well-Known Member

    I am with Dev,,,, not all shop owners are shysters,,, only a very small percentage.... if he is willing to do this stick with him , he is worth his weight in gold... a good honest man....:Smarty:
     
  20. CameoInvicta

    CameoInvicta Well-Known Member

    For sure, sounds like an awesome guy. You picked a good shop Adrian :TU: !
     

Share This Page