Originally Posted by mach0415

So I posted some info on another SD that I bought. It had a dead cylinder 3. Thanks to all who posted info on getting the TC guide rail pin out. I removed the head today and found in pristine shape. This engine has no timing chain stretch-maybe 1 degree. I found the #3 piston broken at the top and you can see about 1 inch of the upper compression ring land circumference exposed, but the ring piece is gone. The bore is smeared with aluminum in spots. It is hard to tell if there are scratches at this point. I will pull the piston next to see the full extent of the damage. So, what causes this kind of damage? Also, is there anyone who has had good luck replacing only the affected piston after cleaning up the bore? An engine builder friend of mine told me he takes muriatic acid to remove the aluminum smear. What are your suggestions. Pics to come.