ok...so I am cleaning my pistons before i put the new heads on and I need to know what is the best way to clean them...aka what fluid should i use and what to brush them with...i was thinking like a tooth brush so it would not scar them...the tops just have a lot of build up ....

also what is a good indicator that i need to get new rings...i figure since im already taking the pistons out to clean them so that would be the best time to check the rings...thanks!

a wire brush atachment for a bench grinder works best just go slow and let the grinder do the work or soak thm over night in part cleaner a scrub them clean . the best way to check the rings is to use a dial caliber to check the gap

wont the wire risk messing up the psiton...should a nylon brush be better? what parts cleaner...i normally soak my stuff in a diesel / bio-diesel which works well on the oil and sludge grime build up on other parts but would be the best cleaner for engine parts

sorry for all the questions im still an major newbie and to be honest the only thing that I am not doing on this rig is the welding...and im proud of that...I like to have a project I can stand behind to say "yeah i built that"

carb cleaner and one of those flap wheels with the scotchbrite and sandpaper works good with a drill for the top of the piston anyways

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Just Stand On It!!!!

Chris

thanks guys...yeah i got two tins of the carb cleaner so I will work on two at a time and my store sells the scotch brite discs...yay for a discount!...well I am starting that this week...thanks again for all the help...

NOW how to know if the rings need changing?

The carbon you leave in there will not let your new ring sqeeze in all the way.(jugs and pistons will be a tite fit.) I have broke an old ring in 1/2 before and smoothed an edge to make the perfect homemade carbon scraper.

Avoid the wire wheel, especially on the skirts. In fact, avoid any kind of abrasive on the skirts.
If your pistons have excess carbon buildup or are particulaly cruddy, you can break an old ring in half and use that to run around the ring groove.
For general cleaning, a chemical resistant brush and MEK works well. You can pick up a gallon of MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) at any paint store or large home improvement place like Lowes or Home Depot.
Just be careful if you have girl hands, MEK is some powerful stuff.
You can check your rings by removing them from the pistons and placing them in the cylinder about 1/4 to 1/2 way down in the bore. Use the top of a piston to square them up.
You can then measure your ring gap with a feeler gauge.

ok let me explain a little better...the pistons are still in the jugs aka the cylinders and the tops have some build up that is black and i can rub some of it off with my fingers but its caked on there...that is what I am trying to take off...jsut the stuff on top...

maybe this will help. thanks

u can use a wire brush on top,it wont hurt them,take the top ring off put it back in cylinder and check ur ring gap with a feeler gage,new rings are like .08thous

cool thanks cris and everyone else that has posted to help me...again im still new and trying to learn the "best" way to go about something instead of jumping into something in the shop "thinking i know what is best"

5 gallon bucket of solder seal carb cleaner with the parts basket in it. You will be able to submerge the whole assy, or the individual pieces. Soak them about an hour. They will come out looking like new. Good rule of thumb on the ring gap = .004" for every inch of bore.

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Don't sweat the petty stuff, pet the sweaty stuff.

I do not recommend using a wire brush on pistons that are still attached to the rods and in the cylinders. You will force carbon down into the top comprssion ring. Scape the heavy stuff off and then use Gumout to remove the rest. make sure you clean out between the cylinder and top ring of the piston. Personally I would remove the pistons and check them for wear. Then replace the rings and a quick hone at minimum. You already have it apart.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

I'm with Ody on this one. You have it apart just put new ones in and forget it. A new jug and piston kit only a little over a 100 bucs with rings.

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"YOU CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, WATCH THINGS HAPPEN OR WONDER WHAT THE F$$K HAPPEND...WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN" The strong words of Captain Phil! Rest in peice!

Carb dip works great. But like stated it is often easier and cheaper to get a $100 pl set. Chances are the cylinder walls are no longer straight. Even with a high dollar Sunnen hone you'll end up with to much piston to cylinder clearance.

well they are in now....I guess all i ahve to do now is get the rocker arms set and clearanced...thanks guys I figured the worse case is i start blowing blue smoke all over and then that is time for new pistons and jugs...but till then I need to get other things done on the car and atleast get it rolling...thanks so much again for all the input...the carb dip worked great and then i hand washed everything in a lighty soapy water to make sure any residue was off ...then everything went together great...how i love the white slip in pins instead of the old-school retaining rings for the pistons...