Removing jugs from a rusty case
 

I am in the process of disassembling a motor that looks like it spent some time in the elements. The pistons are frozen in the barrels. I've tried solvent, PB and heat, all to no avail. Before I move on to the brute force method, does anyone have any better suggestions? Thanks

Kroil, CorrosionX, TC11... Step up in terms of what you're using as a solvent/penetrant.

What did you use for heat?

Plumber's torch for heat, so admittedly not as hot as other alternatives.

In terms of the solvents, is there anything on the market that is viewed as the most powerful? I'll check the local hardware store to see if they carry anything more potent.

Thanks

Use a mixture of ATF and acetone. Liberally soak each bank of pistons facing up.

What engine is it? I assume its an early T since they had cast iron cylinders and were the only ones to rust.

After soaking you can heat the cylinder with a oxy acetlyene torch. Once the cylinder is hot, drive down on the piston crown with a wooden block and dead blow hammer. The idea is to free up the pistons. It will likely take several rounds to get them separated.

If this does not work you can cut the cylinders off.

Actually all the street car cylinders before the 73RS had cast iron liners which can easily rust the pistons in.

Split the cylinders with a cut off wheel, a hammer and a chisel. Cut a groove in the cylinder parallel to the head studs and smack it with a chisel. The cast iron will fracture easily and then the cylinder will slide right off.
Old rusty cast iron cylinders have little or no value so at this point saving your valuable time might make sense.

Coca-Cola...the best rust eater on the planet...LOL
Soak the offending pieces in Coke....let sit overnight (or fairly long time) and presto...no rust to prevent the disassembly of parts.
I used this method to get an old inline six apart once.
Of course...the cylinder walls will now need to be bored...or honed.
Bob

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'm tempted to try the Coca-cola method, just to see if the urban myth is true!

^ What Henry said. Don't even waste your time trying to save them. You don't even have to cut completely through them, just cut enough until you put a heavy score in the liner and smack with a hammer. It'll fracture quite easily.

Cutting was effective, but still a PITA. A couple of barrels were stuck in the case, and pistons were really fused to the barrels in some instances! It's a shame that so many of these things were left outside to corrode away. Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice.