Just got my rebuild kit from engnbldr.com and am ready to put my 3.0 back together after having the heads and journals checked. Just noticed that the wrist pins are not retained by clips like on the 22re. The FSM shows them being removed by a press. Is this something (removing wrist pin) that I need to have a shop handle, or is there an easy means of removing the pin and replacing the piston?

 

there is a special fixture for removing and installing the pins in a press, you might be able to cobble something together to do it, but you may damage the piston and not know it till it's making noise sometime down the road.

I'd suggest getting someone to do it.

 

You can do it with a bottle jack the right sized sockets. Make yourself a "home made" press. I've used the rear bumper and even the frame as something for the jack to press against when I've replaced u-joints and such. The pistons would be no different.

My neighbor gave me the idea. Only he welded up a rectangular frame from square tubing and angle iron, made a base for the jack to fasten to, and now he has a press.

It's kinda backwoodsy, I know, but maybe you make something like that work.

 

I saw them do that on xtreme 4x4...granted that was not for pistons...

 

Really? I've never heard of that show before. Just when you think you've had an original idea....

I suppose I should've said my neighbor's contraption "inspired" the idea. I've never used that method in this capacity. So, I don't know if it'll work, but it's worth exploring the option. Depending on your budget, a shop shouldn't charge much anyway.

 

They said it was a cheap alternative to buying a press. There's required $25 of scrap metal and a $50 bottle jack.

http://www.powerblocktv.com/sites/

They have some sweet shows every sat and sun morning. (They are the same both days in case you miss some)