Hi, i have damaged a piston and rod from my 2.0 zetec, can i simply swap all 4 for another set? or will i have to get 1 and have it machined to suit? Thanks a lot, Aid

 

be best of changing the 4 pistons and sticking a set of new rings on them while theyre out the engine.

how have you damaged the piston & rod?

is the bore damaged?

 

thanks for reply mate, the bore is fine, i just fubard the bottom of the conrod as when i came to undo the rod bolts one was seized and i mean REALLY seized. So after i had broken a few tools on it and completely chewed up the head of the bolt, i took an angle grinder to it. A move i now regret as i managed to take a mm or two of mating surface off the conrod. bugger. Never mind, thats what u get for employing cowboy tactics.
Should be able to source a new set of pistons and rods for cheap enough anyway, will be easier than getting 1 balanced etc.

Aid

 

i got a set in my zetec engine if you fancy them? theyre surplus to requirements as im going steel rods and forged pistons

 

cool pm me a price, i'm interested in them thanks

 

probably best to 'glazebust' the bores - think any haynes manual covers this.

trust the bores aren't too worn. the thing that can be a problem is that if you have a lip at the top where the original top ring was at TDC, then if your new rod/piston combo puts the rings a little higher owing to manufacturing tolerances, then the new ring will hit the step and get damaged.

this problem can also happen with rod stretch, for example you buy a car off your granny/ sister whoever that has never been run past about 3k, and first thing you do is take it to 7k. the extra revs stretches everything past where they took it and you hit the ridge.

fortunately my granny doesn't drive any more (just as well) and when my sister isn't looking i make a point of taking her car out and thrashing the living daylights out of it just to prevent this problem.