Valve/piston advice

howndog said:

I understand that the rings can be replaced without pulling the block.

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Perhaps. But that would be harder than simply pulling the engine and working on with you standing up and the engine attached to a stand.

what else needs to be replaced while I'm there? Valve guides or seals

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If the problem is oil burning, then sure, valve guides and seals should be replaced, assuming you just pulling the head. A leak-down test will tell you whether the rings also need replacing. If it were me, I'd just do a complete rebuild because it's sort of fun, in a masochistic sort of way.

Hi there, while technically possible to slide the pistons up with the block in, getting the oil pan off with the engine in is a real bear, more so on a spica engine. If you do struggle through that, your access to 3&4 rod bolts is challenging as the crossmember is right there. Plus it’s Dirty, you are likely better than me, but every time I’ve gone to town cleaning under there, it’s no way clean enough to be doing internal engine work around....
Having said all that, some feel it’s easier to pull engine and trans together, some even do it engine, trans and front driveshaft as a unit. I just did eng and trans this week, I’ve done engine only in the past, it’s a bit of a wash, depends where you want your struggles.
The more you take out the slipperier the slope.

Sure the Spica pump is adjusted properly and not too rich, causing oil dilution? that'll make em burn oil. smell the dipstick.