Your solutions to freeing,cleaning up stuck piston rings!

[Pilkie]

Hi all!

When you are faced with an engine that has not been used for a while,and on removal of pistons find some or all piston rings are gummed up in their grooves,what methods have you used to free them off and clean them up?
I believe apart from being gummed up through 25yrs of inactivity,they are in excellent condition,and can be used again once cleaned up.
I am however trying to source a set of new rings,but that could be difficult as they are not std pistons.
"Shallow dish,split skirt,5 rings,apparently lower ring is for eliminating,reducing piston slap."
ps
This is in my Morris 1000 not a Rover.

Cheers!!!

 

[RedBarchetta]

Soaking them in a bath of Coca Cola overnight is apparently very effective at cleaning!

 

[suffolkpete]

It sounds as though they are Hepolite PEP pistons. A common way of rejuvenating A and B series engines if they weren't too far gone. The skirt ring is actually an oil control ring.

 

[Pilkie]

Could well be,but I cant see any obvious ID marks on them!!
I know its a bit of a long shot,but if anyone on here,happens to have a good running 1098 Morris 1000 engine surplus to requirements,and is going to the Jubilee rally next weekend,then PM me!

 

[John]

I leave stuff that it is stuck or rusty in a bucket of Machine Marts part wash (only because I got given a gallon) but it is only citric acid and that can be got in powder form from the chemist, dilute with water and Robert's your mothers brother.

 

[chrisyork]

How about, soak in your parts cleaner overnight and then finish in the dishwasher? You know it makes sense!

Chris

 

[Pilkie]

They are in the parts cleaner,but I dont have a dishwasher any more!
I got rid of her years ago!

 

[colnerov]

See anything that takes your eye? I'm sure some of them know something about rings :wink:

Colin

 

[unstable load]

Celly thinners should do the trick, too. Alternatively, if you can find some, MEK is great, but
nasty stuff.

 

[Pilkie]

Out of the 3 rings that were gummed up,1 freed off,1 was broken,and the other broke whilst being gently eased.
That means a new set of rings or pistons will have to be sourced!!
But I maybe in luck as I have found a possible recon engine at a good price!
A price is agreed,pending a checkover and I can collect when at the P6 jubilee show this weekend,as its close to the camp site! .