Piston Depth....
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 868
Likes: 84
From: Florida
Piston Depth....
I am doing a Cal-Van Spark Plug repair and in doing so I had a question. To make sure the piston is far down in the hole, I wondered what the distance is from dead bottom until it comes close to the spark plug. For obvious reasons they want you to make sure the piston is at least 4 inches away from the top. Does anyone have this number as to the distance the piston travels?
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 293
Likes: 29
From: Houston
I use a piece of rubber fuel line to estimate clearance. If it is close, I rotate crank by hand to fine tune. If piston is way too high, hit the starter motor to get a new piston position. Stroke on a 5.4 is 4.17".
Use the same hose to blow out cuttings. Good luck!
Use the same hose to blow out cuttings. Good luck!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 868
Likes: 84
From: Florida
Okay, never really a complete engine guy but recently with my 20 year old F-250, I became one. But still learning. Is 4.17 for the stroke in the 5.4's the inches it travels in the cylinder?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,117
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Yes. 4.17" is the 'stroke' of the crankshaft, or the diameter the centerline of the rod journal spins on. When translated to linear motion, then the piston travels 4.17" in the bore.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 868
Likes: 84
From: Florida
So, I did the Cal-Van insert repair today and so far so good. Unfortunately some of the problem with me is self doubt as you begin to ream out the old hole. Fits and starts such as "will it line up correctly even with the tool sleeve"? I used the ratcheting wrench to ream out the hole (12V Cordless works fine). Lots of shavings debris, blew it all out. Cleaning was a fairly constant task but worth it. Next step was to tap the new threads. I will say that the tools included in the set of Cal-Van #38900 are really substantial. Getting the values to close and the piston to bottom out on the floor of the block was a relief. I did spray some WD-40 (some don't like, some do), I did the tap by hand. I don't trust the cordless in this case. You only get one chance to tap it correctly. So, a few threads in, back it out, a few more threads, back it out, a little pressure and it worked. Anti Seize on the spark plug, thread it into the insert, JB Weld High Heat under the "hat " of the insert and Red Loctite on the beginning threads. I'm going to let it set overnight and put things back tomorrow. This was on cylinder #7 on the drivers side, just ever so slightly under the wiper platform. #8 could be a real bitch to get at......
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mudder1_2000
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
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Dec 8, 2010 04:36 PM
