That stripper is great stuff. Glad to see it doesn't eat the aluminum (or at least, not by much).

I like that ring compressor. Sure wish I had it the last time I did an engine.

Quick update - Piston #5 is finished. Piston #4 and #1 are soaking overnight. At this pace I should have all 6 cleaned by the end of the week.

A byproduct of cleaning the pistons has been lowering their mass. Here is #5 before cleaning.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvddpctse.jpg

And here it is after cleaning.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqbyxsdgw.jpg

So I removed 3g of carbon. Not bad. For six pistons that would be a total of 18g, which is significant.

Finally, here is #5 with rings installed.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps72jljqmg.jpg

Does your manual address the orientation of the ring gaps at the time of installation? (ie: 120 degrees apart, 180 degrees apart) Also, I have had mixed results getting a good seal on the headgaskets without surfacing the block and heads, at least the heads. Again, don't know the particulars of this engine but cleaning, without damaging the surfaces would seem to be key. I do not have any specific suggestion here but maybe someone does.
Very nice progress. I did look at the piston cir-clip install link and that does look like "fun". Maybe some practice on one of your pistons while it is out to establish some "feel" might be helpful later.

Manual says 120 degrees apart IIRC. Will check again before the final installation. Also, practicing with the circlip will probably be key.

I purchased some gasket removal paste that is supposed to dissolve the gasket thus reducing or eliminating the need for scraping. We'll see if it works. I'd like to try cleaning the cases this weekend.

Not much progress to report today other than having cleaned two more pistons. The last two are soaking tonight, so I should have them all finished by tomorrow night.

The first part to arrive was the IMS bearing kit from Pelican. Here it is:

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...psgzgqttn7.jpg

That is a BIG circlip!

Yes. Yes it is.

More parts arrived today from Pelican.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshfwbhpdr.jpg

All pistons are finally clean.

http://i983.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7kh4ijpm.jpg

NICE! I am running out of potential got-yas to pass on but beautiful parts! I did try and use a sub-standard torque-indicator tool when I did my last engine build - the nylon based under the dial indicator flexed all over the place and threw off the measurements. LL - Get a better quality tool next time!! Will be interested in following your up-dates.

Thanks for all your help.

Mihnea,
You are making good progress.

Are your connecting rod piston pin bushings OK and are you going with better rod bolts?

Regards,

Rob