Freeing a seized piston

[all-world1]

I picked up a 350 sbc on spec with one or two seized pistons. Water got in through the carb and must have been sitting for a long time. I've seen some comments about using a 50/50 mix of tranny fluid and acetone. Has anyone got any better ideas.

Craig

 

[one finger john]

Mike the available bores and see if it has been bored oversize. If it hasn't, try the trans fluid/acetone deal.
If that does not work, carefuly drill out the piston until it can be collapsed and removed. If it has been bored oversize give it back and see if you can be paid for your labor. Heads are probably junk too.

John

 

[choppedtop]

I picked up an engine the same way years ago. I filled the cylinders with atf and diesel. For about a week, every time I passed by, I would bump the break over bar that I had one the crank nut. It finally freed up little by little. The rings were rusted to the cylinders. I used it in my first build. Smoked like crazy for about a month, but finally settled in, and ran fine for about a year that I drove the car.
Lee

 

[all-world1]

Thanks for your input. What do I look for in head damage?

 

[ram rod2]

ya give it back not worth the trouble.
I have used pb blaster with some success.

 

[Francis Blake]

Looking for head damage is not to difficult,remove the valves clean the heads the best you can and look for cracks especially around the valves and check for warped heads with a good straight edge. If all is well save them until you know if the block is any good. If the block is good have the heads and block cooked at a machine shop. If you have any money in this engine I would make sure the person you bought will stand good for any money you spend on it if it is not good

 

[all-world1]

Thanks for the info. I got the motor dirt cheap and if the block and heads are no good, I've still got the quadrajet, aluminum manifold, alternator, distributor and the rest of it. Apparently, this motor had less than 100 miles on it, newly installed on a school bus chassis before it was abandoned. The top of the heads look like they just came off the factory parts shelf but that doesn't deter from the fact that they may be done.

 

[cooter]

trans fluid and acetone. best there is..