Thread: Piston Side Float

After pulling the head off for a blown head gasket ive been trying to clean up the deck of the block, it seems to have surface rust or the gasket has given it that colour.

Anyway, i read that i should check for piston side float while the head is off, should there be any movement when the piston is wobbled?? They seem to move a fraction of a millimeter when at tdc.

Another concern is the bore, i can feel a tiny ridge at the top of the cylinder, i have read this can cause new rings to snap but the ridge i feel could almost be removed with wet and dry.

So my question is should i replace piston rings?

if i should then is the cylinders alright?

and if they arent can they be honed while the engine is still in the defender or will i need to strip the block down and take it in to get bored?

And final questions, how big of a job is it to take the block out seem i already have the head off, water pump off and will be taking timing belt off?

Any help would be appreciated!!

Cheers

Jimmy

if your not replacing the pistons and dehoning the bores with a bottlebrush hone dont panic about it.

Ive seen .75mm of side float still keeping comresion so long as the rings dont sieze or glaze.