4.0 Engine piston removal

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biggchief

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Delmar, Iowa

• Dec 27, 2010

• #1

ALright guys,

ive tried to search this subject but have come up with nothing. Can someone verify for me if a piston coan be removed and reinstalled from the crankshaft side on a 1996 4.0?

I have a 1996 XJ that runs flawlessly other than the apparent wristpin that i have that is out. So, my plan is to swap the piston out, as i need to cheap this as much as possible. Worst case im out nothing but time and an oil change if it doesnt work, I do have an extra motor just trying to avoid that route..

thanx for any information.

 

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dave92cherokee

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Lynchburg, TN

• Dec 27, 2010

• #2

It's been a while since I've removed a piston from a 4.0 block (7+ years) but if I remember it correctly I pulled the pistons from the bottom and installed from the top with the piston ring compressor.

 

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Mike Mike

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Tucson Arizona

• Dec 27, 2010

• #3

I always used a ridge reamer to cut the ridge out of the top of the cylinder and push the piston out. But never done a 4.0 before

 

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Motornoggin

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Beaverton OR

• Dec 27, 2010

• #4

Looking at this picture, I would be concerned about the piston fitting between the mains on the block.

It isn't that hard to pull the head off. You have to disconnect some stuff, remove the valve cover, loosen the rockers, pull the pushrods out and yard the head off. You don't need to remove the manifolds, it can all come out as an assembly. I bet it could be done in an hour if you have air tools.

 

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biggchief

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Delmar, Iowa

• Dec 27, 2010

• #5

Yeah im more trying to cut a corner and not remove top end while engine is still in vehicle.. the engine runs flawless other than the wristpin knock that it has. and the top end was done not too long ago..

 

Shorty

NAXJA Forum User

NAXJA Memorial Lifetime Member

Location

on the beach in Ocean View, VA

• Dec 27, 2010

• #6

I'm thinking that there's gonna be a crankshaft in the way-- it seems like more work in the long-run to pull it from the bottom.

 

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wheeling365

NAXJA Forum User

Location

18214

• Dec 27, 2010

• #7

Even if you could get the piston out that way how are you going to get a ring compressor back in there to put the piston back in?

 

old_man

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Loveland, Colorado

• Dec 27, 2010

• #8

wheeling365 said:

Even if you could get the piston out that way how are you going to get a ring compressor back in there to put the piston back in?

Click to expand...

Good point. :repair:

 

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biggchief

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Delmar, Iowa

• Dec 27, 2010

• #9

valid point...i guess ill be pullin a head too...

 

ROBZ95Xj

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Keene NH

• Dec 27, 2010

• #10

they cannot be romoved from the bottom unles you smash the pistion into a million pieces with a hammer