[trumpet1]

I am tring to strip my 302 block prior to taking it to a shop for cleaning and maybe boring. I will probably replace the pistons (but maybe not the rods?)

There are pretty tall ridges at the tops of the cylinders. Can I just force the pistons out past them, or should I try to scrape them down with a razor blade or something? My first engine rebuild, you understand.

[itschristorres8]

take a piece of wood and just hit the connecting rod till it comes out
if your replacing the connecting rods then you wont need the wood
you really wont even need anything to hit it unless the cylinder wall and piston are in bad shape.
also if your rebuilding a motor at least have the walls honed and hexd

[OldSchool]

You should pull the crankshaft and pull them out the bottom. Let the machine shop deal with the ridges.

If not get a ridge reamer from autozone or harbor freight.
A ridge reamer is a special tool to remove the ridges.

[tom2000r]

Originally Posted by trumpet1 I am tring to strip my 302 block prior to taking it to a shop for cleaning and maybe boring. I will probably replace the pistons (but maybe not the rods?) There are pretty tall ridges at the tops of the cylinders. Can I just force the pistons out past them, or should I try to scrape them down with a razor blade or something? My first engine rebuild, you understand.

you need to use ridge reamer,,just take alittle out

[redhumphries]

ridge reamer is the way to go and if the ridge is real bad get ready to have the block bored and buy new pistons, don't take a hammer to the rods bad idea. hope this helps RED

[460brevill]

if you hammer on the rods,you will have to have them redone.money,money,money.