Is it possible to drop the pistons through the bottom??

[aaengel]

As a quick fix to my car... would it be possible to drop the oil pan, disconnect the connecting rods from the crank, and drop the pistons through the bottom (assuming there is clearance) and replace the pistons and the rings?

[fishexpo101]

Has been done before, but you are adding a lot more work than for yourself. Changing rod bearings, I can see just working from the bottom, but to replace piston and rings - just rebuild the whole thing at once.

I'm assuming this is to stem oil consumption issue? To get the most of that repair - should check that the cylinder is square before you dump any more money into it, check head and block for flatness, then will have to hone the cylinder walls, clean off carbon deposits from the head with a cross buff, etc.

Just replacing the rings/pistons "might" work - also could make things worse. Definitely not one of those quick fix sort of things, unless you are going to dump the car immediately afterwards.

[Bennie]

It can be a "quick fix". But not by pulling the pistons out the bottom, there isn't room with the crankshaft in there. Not to mention trying to hone the cylinders and stuff the piston back in there with new rings. You'll have to pull the head. And you will obviously have to pull the oil pan off as well to disconnect the connecting rods. It's a little tight getting to the #4 rod but it can totally be done with the motor in the car.

I did the "quick fix" 90K miles ago on my Prizm. Ring replacement, cylinder hone, disassembled the head and cleaned the valves, new gaskets and seals. These motors really hold up nice.