Jaguar XK engine - dismantling

[badger_royale]

I've got a bit stuck with an old XK 4.2 engine I'm dismantling for parts (and maybe an engine block wine rack!). The engine has been stood for about 20 years and obviously the pistons are very much seized.

I've stripped all the main and big end bearings, which are in remarkably good condition, so I'm trying to keep the crank good. Unfortunately I can't remove the crankshaft, its stuck at the flywheel end by the rear crank oil seal housing. I can't remove the flywheel to get to the housing bolts as the torque converter is bolted to the back of the flywheel, and I need to turn the engine over to get to the torque converter bolts, but can't as the pistons won't budge.

I would try and break the crank seal housing to free up the crank, but its bloody chunky and has no give in it at all. Tried bashing the pistons out from the bottom but they won't move, and the crank's in the way meaning I can't get a good hit on them. The pistons are scrap so I don't care how broken they get. I also can't get in with a grinder to cut this seal housing apart...

Any ideas of what to try next?

Otherwise, considering its been stood so long, and had water in, its amazing that it all still comes apart, every bolt comes out easily, and most of the bottom end is in very good nick. They must have done it better in the old days!

ETA: it's the old XK straight six engine!

Edited by badger_royale on Saturday 11th September 19:45

[Pigeon]

badger_royale said:

I can't remove the flywheel to get to the housing bolts as the torque converter is bolted to the back of the flywheel, and I need to turn the engine over to get to the torque converter bolts, but can't as the pistons won't budge.

Turn the whole block bodily as opposed to trying to rotate the crank?

[badger_royale]

Pigeon said:

badger_royale said:

I can't remove the flywheel to get to the housing bolts as the torque converter is bolted to the back of the flywheel, and I need to turn the engine over to get to the torque converter bolts, but can't as the pistons won't budge.

Turn the whole block bodily as opposed to trying to rotate the crank?

I meant turning the crank over rather than the whole engine. I'll have a good go at it tomorrow, maybe break out the big hammers...

[Steve_D]

If the pistons are not to be saved then start by driving them down the bore to get them moving then back up and out.
A piece of 4x2 and a sledge hammer should encourage them to move. I like percussive engineering.

Steve

[stevieturbo]

soak the pistons with oil or WD40.

mount the block in its normal upright position and buy a gallon or whatever of WD40 and let that soak down in over a day or two.

it certainly wont release them, but it should help.

After than, brute force and ignorance, with a sledgehammer if need be.

[ColinM50]

stevieturbo said:

brute force and ignorance,

How come you know my nickname? Am I married to you?