Thanks to all who answered. I neglected to say this is a diesel engine,
and the clips have no holes, just very strong wire. Shawn suggested
going at it with a couple of awls, that worked. I didn't know the
waterboxer was different from the diesel in that respect.

As far as everyone's suggestions about driving out the wrist pin, if
you haven't tried sticking them into a pot of boiling water for a
minute and turning the wrist pins perpendicular to the floor and
watching them fall out from their own weight, you haven't found the
ultimate extractor. Unless of course the pistons are still in the car.
Or you haven't figure out how to get the clips out...

Thanks,

Jim

On May 14, 2005, at 4:38 PM, Paul Guzyk wrote:

> I've had best results with Craftsman circlip pliers.
>
> Forget about Harbor Freight, Kragen, or other POS tools...you get
> what you pay for when it comes to circlip pliers.
>
> Once you get the clip off, you need to pull the piston pin.  This is
> fun also.
>
> An easy way is to use a long 3/8 threaded rod (available at any
> hardware store), put it through the pin then place a nut on the end
> while the rod is between the pistons (use a small telescoping magnet
> to help get the nut on since there is no room for your fingers).
>
> Put a sliding weight from a dent puller onto the threaded rod and a
> big washer and nut on the other end.  "slide away" and the pin will
> come out.
>
> If you don't have a dent puller weight use a piece of pipe or even a
> hammer to bang on the washer end and pull out the pin.  It will be
> tough at first but will come out with a few medium blows.  The 3/8
> nut is big enough not to go through piston pin but small enough not
> to get caught up on the other circlip.
>
>
>>
>>>  What's the secret to getting these things in and out (the circular
>>> wire
>>  > clips that secure the wrist pins in the piston)?
>>>
>