replaced. Since the frost plugs will be replaced, they were simply
punched out with an awl to drain any remaining coolant in the engine.
Next, the oil pan was removed and the part and its contents were
inspected. In typical fashion, sludge was found at the bottom of the pan,
though the sludge was gritty. To check for metal fragments in the grit
and sludge, a magnet was run through the sludge, but no material clung
to the magnet.
Once the oil pump was removed for rebuilding (a new oil pump was
not located for this engine), piston removal could be attacked. The rod
caps were unbolted from the underside of the engine while it was on the
engine stand and then carefully slid out. Although new rings will be
installed, Herman worked to avoid damaging them any further in order
to inspect them and identify damage caused from wear, rather than
removal. In this case, one broken ring fell off the piston as the piston
was pulled out of the cylinder. Upon inspection of the piston, severe
wear was apparent where the ring wrapped around the piston. Worn or
broken rings, such as this one, are a source for oil consumption, and this
engine was burning its fair share.
A broken ring ate away at the top of the piston at right, causing
excess oil consumption and smoke from the engine.The bearings in the piston end caps were also inspected for wear.