I'm rebuilding a 40 HP engine. I know to keep the pistons and cylinders for each position together. But is there any problem in putting them in different position. For instance, the P&C #4 be reinstalled in the #1 position.
Hi Mel,
Reinstalling all engine components in the same position they came off, is done so that the parts will continue to wear on the same wear patterns as before. Otherwise, the engine will break-in again, needing some time to "erase" the old wear patterns and then create new wear patterns. This procedure will take much longer than on new parts, and may never manage to properly break in. Plus much more wear is created on the already old components.
The wear pattern on the Pistons an Cylinders is most of all related to the way the cylinder sits on the engine case. It is related to how much off is the cylinder from being exactly vertical to the case, and to the deck height which has to do with the wear marks of the piston rings on the cylinder walls, as well as with the compression ratio. There are variations in the way the cylinders sit on the case, so altering the position of the cylinders, is not a good thing.
If you cannot "remember" where the cylinders came off, and you want to do a correct rebuild, then you should have the cylinders rehoned and install new rings on the pistons. Then recheck the deck height on all cylinders.
If you just expect a few more thousand miles from a crap engine, then it doesn't matter how you install them, just hope for good luck.
Bill, '67 Bug.
their is no problem at all with that just be sure to point the arrow on the top of the piston towards the flywheel and you will be fine!
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