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Re-Ring?

Old Jun 10, 2013 | 01:00 AM
  #1  
kevinjrgaston's Avatar
kevinjrgaston
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From: Hill Country of Texas
Re-Ring?

Hey guys, so I've figured out that my '83 Bronco with the 300 has lower compression in two cylinders that the rest through a compression check. Doing a leakdown test, I noticed that it was hissing through the bottom end, not through the heads and since this vehicle has relatively fresh gaskets and all on the top end, I was wondering if there was any way to remove the pistons and re ring them by pulling off the oil pan, or if anyone has even attempted to do so and the end results. Any information will be greatly appreciated I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into as I'd like to get the vehicle at least driveable for now.Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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That is a tricky one to call. What you are asking can certainly be done. Remove engine, oil pan, crank, re-ring and replace everything. However, the time and labor involved to do all of that and remove so many key components is significant. When you consider that with that much work being done, there are many other preventive-maintenance items that could/should be done at the same time. (If you are gonna gut the bathroom, might as well replace more than just the commode). Now, I say that its a tricky call because the 300 is well known for its insanely long life (250K miles without overhaul is not uncommon). So, just the idea that you have a 300 with significant leak-down in two cylinders would suggest the problems may run deeper than just "re-ringing" especially if the engine itself is a lower mileage unit.

Check in with AbandonedBronco (moderator of the following forum) on this topic or the "Inline Six" Forum here at FTE.
 
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Old Jun 11, 2013 | 07:04 PM
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kevinjrgaston
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Yeah, the only thing is, is that most of the top end stuff is already new :/ bit I guess it wouldn't hurt anything but my pocket book :/ seeing as a rebuild master kit without piston is 450-500 bucks :/
 
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Old Jun 11, 2013 | 09:30 PM
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Well, if the head is in good shape you may be able to get by with just doing the bottom end but if you are going to take it that far apart you are going to have to deal with bearings too. If you are going to do crank and piston bearings, why leave lifters and camshaft as the "old" stuff? I only mention it because I'd feel really bad telling you to go for it only to have you come back in a few months with a spun cam bearing or stuck lifter and bent pushrod.
 
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Old Jun 12, 2013 | 01:10 PM
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6978sghfbjklgdfsjhkl's Avatar
6978sghfbjklgdfsjhkl
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I just recently

went thru this decision process with a new to me Bronco. I bought it with a light miss on number one. I was comitted to keeping it so I did the compression check to find it leaking into the basment on cylinder #1. long story. It turned out to be an egg-shaped hole from being too hot..the main problem was it already been bored .060 over so, my only choice was to re-ring and hope for the best. Well, when the rings rotate in the bore, sure enuf they line up on the week side and seem to stay there hence still have the miss..

I'm dropping in a short block this week.

It's a lot of work to "do-it-u'neath"...I would take it out so as to be prepared for anything..

best wishes
 
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