Piston and cylinder assembly, Tips? Options

[TheCabinetmaker]

Doing a top end on a 1.7L. New c/p's. New heads.
The p/c assemblies seem to be quite dirty. Should I take them apart and clean and relube evetything? what should I clean them with. I read about weighing the pistons. Should I check the ring gap, or assume(I hate that word) the were checked when assembled.

This ain't my first time, but it has been a "few" years.

Thanks, Curt

[Matt Romanowski]

You almost always remove weight under the crown. Some JEs suggest from the wrist pin boss. How close depends on your scale and free time. Mine are all perfect.

As for dynamic balancing, as along as the crank is balanced, all the pistons and rods are balanced, then it should all be ok. It's not like a V engine. There is a direct opposite force for everything. At least that's how one of the best engine builders in the country put it to me.

I like to clean everything with solvent. Depending where I am, I use either the tank or brake clean. Check all the clearances - end gap, skirt clearance, and eventually deck height.

Matt