VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Removing Rod and Piston through oil pan

Is it possible to remove the piston and the connecting rod via the oil pan on a 1928 engine? I already have the oil pan off and was wondering if i could sneak out a piston and rod. Is their enough clearance and do i need to do anything special?

Thanks

I replaced my number 4 connecting rod from the sump without removing the head.
I lowered the piston enough to slide out the wrist pin but left it high enough so as the rings would remain inside the bore.
Just measured an old piston and it is 95mm tall, looks to only be about 75mm from the mains to the bottom of the cylinder.
I don't think the piston will slide out that way but I have never tried.

When I took three '28 engines apart last year, I don't recall if I took out a piston through the bottom with the crank still in place.

I do recall that the piston's from Lurch's engine had quite a ring ridge, so the pistons had to come out the bottom. I suspect, though, that I took the crank out and then slid the piston's out.

Why are you pulling that one piston out? I would think that if you intend to do some work on that cylinder, the head would need to come off anyway.

Keep us posted, Dean

I lost 3 out of 4 rod bearings. It looks like the Babbitt just crumbled.

I had this issue years ago with a company out of Los Angeles area. This engine was just rebuilt before the National in Tahoe last year. I am bummed and would love to leave the top end alone.

I have another set of rods I just need to find a place to get them babbited. The main bearing came from my stash and still look great.

Major bummer!

;-( Dean

Interesting that we are having a similar discussion with a friend regarding a Model A engine.

The key is in Yobbo's post. If you pull the rings out of the block you might not have enough room for a ring compressor to re-install the piston from the bottom.

It was too much of a challenge getting it out of the bottom, took the head off and just removed the piston the normal way

Thanks for the note on your work. Hope it all goes back together smoothly.