I determined that my engine's problem was not a thrown rod as I initially thought, but a cracked #4 piston. All of the other pistons look surprisingly good. Would it be possible to replace this piston, which is the one nearest the firewall) without pulling the engine by pulling the head, dropping the oil pan, unbolting the con rod, and pushing the piston up? If this is feasible, it would seem that this job would take only 5 hr. or so of time and would avoid many of the complications of pulling the entire engine (discharging the A/C, disconnecting fuel and wiring, etc).
Anyone know a source for single pistons? I don't think that I could replace all 4 by dropping the pan; only the rearmost two.
Thanks,
Drew
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