How To Rebuild Your Small-Block Ford.pdf - Index of

Before removing a connecting-rod cap from
its rod make sure both are stamped with the
Turn the crank throw of the piston you're
removing to BDC. then remove the rod cap.
cylinder number. If they aren't numbered Place joirnal protectors (arrows) over the rod
mark them on the machined flats at the rod and bolts and shove the piston and rod assembly
cap parting line like I'm doing here.
out the top of its bore while watching that the
rod doesn't hang up on the bottom of the
cylinder.
r
especially for this purpose. They are
available free of charge for the asking-all
you have to do is find the right guy to -
ask. Your automotive supply .--
store is a
good place to begin.
To remove each piston, rotate the
crankshaft so the piston is at BDC (bottom
dead than if center). it were You'll at TDc, have and better the rod access will
hang up between the crank throw and the
bottom of the cylinder bore if it's in the
middle of a stroke. Remove the nuts and
bearing cap. With the protectors on the
rod bolts, push the piston and rod assembly
out the top of the cylinder. To protect
your tender hands and knuckles, push on
the piston or rod with the end of a hammer
handle, using the hammer head as a
handle. As you remove each rod and piston,
put the bearings to one side. Then
replace the cap on the rod and secure it
with. the nuts and set them aside.
Bearings Tell a Story-Don't throw your
old connecting-rod or main bearings away
yet-keep them in order. They'll save you
the expense of farming much of your in-
y
With Iall the rods and pistons out of the way you can loosen the main-bearing bolts. The bearing caps
should fit tightly in their registers so a little tap on the side with a hammer should pop them loose
so they can be removed.
spection work out because how a bearing
wears is an accurate indication of the
condition of parts such as the crankshaft
and connecting rods. Therefore, as you
remove each bearing set, tape them together
with some masking tape and record
which connecting rod or main cap the pair
went with. It'll be valuable later on in the
rebuild inspection and reconditioning
stage.
Remove the Crankshaft-After removing
the main-bearing bolts, you'll find the
main-bearing caps won't lift off like the
connecting-rod caps did. The main-bearing
caps fit tightly in registers machined in
the bottom of the main-bearing webs of
the block for accurate lateral (sideways)
location. To remove them, tap the end of
each cap while lifting up on it and it'll
pop right off.