I have mis-placed my Haynes so i could do with some tips for splitting pistons from con rods please.

Whats the best way of removing lock rings and pins then?

Ta

Nick.

depends on what type of piston it is.

put you can normally stick a screwdriver into the little slot and lever it out. be careful tho because they normally ping out and dissapear never to be seen again!!! and watch your eyes too!

as for getting the gudgeon pin out, they should be just finger tight and a light nudge is all that is needed to get them out, but if it's in the quite tight then put the piston in boiling water for a few miniutes then the pin should just fall out! dont ever try to bash the pin out if it is stuck because you may distort the piston skirt

If the pistons are from a high mileage engine the it's more than likey the pins will have crap stuck to them, making them quite tight in some spots to remove, i use a rubber mallet and a small soft piece of wood to gently persuade them out.

The pin clips like Skoda Boy said will ping off with a flat bladed screw driver, if you can put your hand over them whilst you do it, so you're not spending hours looking for them.

Also make sure you number everything so you know its respective partner and original orientation- might be worth weighing the rods too, purely for geek points (and i want to know what 1W rods weigh )