If you don't cut the ridge, and you beat the piston out, something is going to break. That something might be you block. Flatheads are sometimes fragile in this area. I saw a guy do this, and cracked one cylinder, and broke the top out of another. This was after I advised him to first cut the ridge. I saw another guy weld nuts on the studs, and use an impact gun to move the studs. he broke a big chunk out of the block. If you don't believe me, ask the top flathead builders on here. Like Dale, or Tardel.... Not trying to be a smart ass here, just trying to save you some grief......
Why take the piston out at the top? Just disassemble the rod and push it down. Plenty of room for that.
Thomas stated he was going to take it to a builder. I would suggest take the motor out whole and let the builder take it apart.
Only four pistons will come out the bottom, #1 #3 #5 & #8 you,re in luck with #5, but you'll have to pull the crank!
It's also a "pull rod" during the Intake stroke. On the Compression, Combustion and Exhaust strokes it is pushing on either the piston or the crank. I apologize for being a smart ass. I was born this way.....
Stay away from champions. You may be ok for now, But at least you can save some money for a rebuild. It’ll happen sooner than you think. There’s a reason why your plugs are fouling ya know.
The Jalopy Journal
