2billydavies
Senior Member
Offline
Hi everyone...
So after a few months of thinking about it, i've finally started the tear-down of my 58' TR3a. I did have a few questions though for anyone who wanted to chime in. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have done a ton of engine related work over the years on various cars but have never quite replaced pistons (and everything that goes with it). Soooooo... here it goes:
1.) Obviously if i'm going the distance and replacing the pistons and rings, I might as well replace the wet sleeve liners, correct? With that thought in mind... my TR3a has the stock 83mm pistons in it. Is it advisable to simply put the same type of piston back into it? I live in the hot Florida sun, so I'm thinking that going up a few sizes really isn't beneficial to me at all (heat). I'm not looking for more HP or torque... just looking for less smoke and more compression. I was originally thinking that heck, since I have it torn apart, I might as well go up to a higher mm size piston but after reading some threads and talking to people, I'm starting to wonder if I should just put the same back in, only brand new. Thoughts??
2.) Let's say I was going to go up in piston size: Since mine is currently stock 83mm... would I need to have the engine block bored out for larger wet sleeves?? From what I understand, the outside diameter wet sleeve is the same for all piston sizes. I don't think I would have to do that, correct? Just pop the new sleeves and pistons right into place?
I already have the cylinder head off. getting ready to go from underneath and do the piston removals (I"m not taking the engine out. I'm doing this all with the engine in). Any recommendations on a good head gasket? The one that was in it that I took out yesterday was a copper head gasket... and in excellent condition when I removed it.
3.) Finally: after I drained the coolant and removed the cylinder head, I noticed that there is still a ton of coolant all around the wet sleeves. I cannot figure out how to drain the coolant from the actual engine block. I have a brass valve on the left side of the engine block near the carbs but when I open it, it only drips very so slightly and doesn't appear to be draining anything at all. Any ideas on draining the entire block before i start pulling wet liners and pistons?
Thanks so much... I'm REALLY enjoying this tear-down, believe it or not. Any thoughts/suggestions/experiences would be GREATLY appreciated!
Billy
So after a few months of thinking about it, i've finally started the tear-down of my 58' TR3a. I did have a few questions though for anyone who wanted to chime in. I'm pretty mechanically inclined and have done a ton of engine related work over the years on various cars but have never quite replaced pistons (and everything that goes with it). Soooooo... here it goes:
1.) Obviously if i'm going the distance and replacing the pistons and rings, I might as well replace the wet sleeve liners, correct? With that thought in mind... my TR3a has the stock 83mm pistons in it. Is it advisable to simply put the same type of piston back into it? I live in the hot Florida sun, so I'm thinking that going up a few sizes really isn't beneficial to me at all (heat). I'm not looking for more HP or torque... just looking for less smoke and more compression. I was originally thinking that heck, since I have it torn apart, I might as well go up to a higher mm size piston but after reading some threads and talking to people, I'm starting to wonder if I should just put the same back in, only brand new. Thoughts??
2.) Let's say I was going to go up in piston size: Since mine is currently stock 83mm... would I need to have the engine block bored out for larger wet sleeves?? From what I understand, the outside diameter wet sleeve is the same for all piston sizes. I don't think I would have to do that, correct? Just pop the new sleeves and pistons right into place?
I already have the cylinder head off. getting ready to go from underneath and do the piston removals (I"m not taking the engine out. I'm doing this all with the engine in). Any recommendations on a good head gasket? The one that was in it that I took out yesterday was a copper head gasket... and in excellent condition when I removed it.
3.) Finally: after I drained the coolant and removed the cylinder head, I noticed that there is still a ton of coolant all around the wet sleeves. I cannot figure out how to drain the coolant from the actual engine block. I have a brass valve on the left side of the engine block near the carbs but when I open it, it only drips very so slightly and doesn't appear to be draining anything at all. Any ideas on draining the entire block before i start pulling wet liners and pistons?
Thanks so much... I'm REALLY enjoying this tear-down, believe it or not. Any thoughts/suggestions/experiences would be GREATLY appreciated!
Billy