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122 Posts
Well... my head swap project on my 82 spider keeps suffering from "scope creep". 
I keep seeing and/or thinking of more and more stuff that I want to do while I'm in there. After reading several threads on the subject, I decided I'd rering it and hone the liners while everything was apart. Great in theory, except I damaged two of the sleeves (gouges from a vicegrip) while pulling them out. I used the piston and vicegrip/rag bump technique and got them all out easily, but a post-removal inspection reveals several gouges which are deeper than I'd like them to be for a working surface like that. Chalk that up to the school of live and learn.
I also can't seem to figure out how to get the circlips out of the pistons to release them from the rods. I'm sure it's a simple technique issue, and I haven't tried super hard yet since I don't want to damage anything further.
Also, it seems there are gouges on several of the pistons below the oil rings, and matching "streaks" on the liners themselves...
So my question is, do I just pull the motor now, and use this opportunity to reseal everything? I've still got some nasty oil leaks (presumably from somewhere low on the motor since it's still dripping and the car hasn't been driven for weeks now). The problem is there's way too much oil/dirt/grime buildup to tell where it's coming from.
Also, if i do end up pulling the motor, a) should i put the head back on to do so, and b) where are safe connection points for a lift?
Honestly, I'd prefer to keep it simple and just order new pistons and liners and go from there.
Any ideas, thoughts? Feel free to harass me for damaging the liners... I had a feeling it would happen, but after the first two came out without any damage, I figured I was safe.
I keep seeing and/or thinking of more and more stuff that I want to do while I'm in there. After reading several threads on the subject, I decided I'd rering it and hone the liners while everything was apart. Great in theory, except I damaged two of the sleeves (gouges from a vicegrip) while pulling them out. I used the piston and vicegrip/rag bump technique and got them all out easily, but a post-removal inspection reveals several gouges which are deeper than I'd like them to be for a working surface like that. Chalk that up to the school of live and learn.
I also can't seem to figure out how to get the circlips out of the pistons to release them from the rods. I'm sure it's a simple technique issue, and I haven't tried super hard yet since I don't want to damage anything further.
So my question is, do I just pull the motor now, and use this opportunity to reseal everything? I've still got some nasty oil leaks (presumably from somewhere low on the motor since it's still dripping and the car hasn't been driven for weeks now). The problem is there's way too much oil/dirt/grime buildup to tell where it's coming from.
Also, if i do end up pulling the motor, a) should i put the head back on to do so, and b) where are safe connection points for a lift?
Honestly, I'd prefer to keep it simple and just order new pistons and liners and go from there.
Any ideas, thoughts? Feel free to harass me for damaging the liners... I had a feeling it would happen, but after the first two came out without any damage, I figured I was safe.