Tabbasco

Ok so we are resurrecting a beat 944 for Lemons Chump then 944spec but we have a small problem called worn rings, the question is, can u pull the pistons and/or the crank from below...or does the whole engine need to be pulled?

Van

General consensus is it's more of a PITA to try it in the car...

mytrplseven

It can be done in the car but you have to drop the front suspension/cross member to get the oil pan off, pull the cam tower and head and then if you don't have to do any work on the cylinders you're home free. But considering the fact that you may have some scuffing (at least) on the cylinder walls, I'd pull the motor so you'll have access to everything from outside the block and can do whatever additional repairs and degreasing as necessary. IMHO, it's the prudent thing to do.

xsboost90

its much quicker just to drop the whole motor out the bottom.

944hal

I've done the rings without pulling the motor. However, I knew my bores, clutch, rod bearing, water pump and seals were in good shape. Given that is all an unknown in your case, I'd just drop the motor and go from there. Much easier replacing stuff with the motor on an engine stand.

Tabbasco

Just to give the whole picture we already replaced the oil seals, bearing and rebuilt the head...the cylinder wals looked fine but we should have done the block then...was just hoping for a shortcut...simply asking if it is possible???

JohnKoaWood

Not sure why you would be pulling the crank to do the rings... but ok...

Rings can easily be done (although the pistons HAVE to come out the TOP of the block, so the head will have to come off)...

Crank, is more about the weight of the crank... it is heavy enough that it might not be fun to bench press into place, and hold in place while the girdle is fastened to the block...

Darwantae951

To get the crankshaft out, you will have to remove the transmission, and pull the TT back.

Tabbasco

Well we have decided to pull the engine but was just curious why the pistons have to come out the top, the head was done and we wanted to avoid ruining the head gasket...unless the crank exceeded treefitty this old powerlifter can manage it

Darwantae951

I'd guess the crank weighs between 70 and 80 lbs. Pulling the engine will definitely be your best bet!

V2Rocket

56!

ramius665

FTW!

JohnKoaWood

Because of the block... The pistons cannot come out through the bottom.

Mike C.

The crank is heavier than the bare block. I cant imagine how it could be held in place while fighting gravity and get the girdle in place with wet sealant without F-ing something up...

Tabbasco

The final piece of this puzzle before the re-rebuild is the pcv valve, could an overpressured oil system cause the cars to blow smoke past 3000 rpm?