Bolens Diablo Rouge and Hus Ski Discussion Forums

This is a 252 engine I got in a 444 which was seized solid when I bought it. That was three years ago but since then the penetrating oil seemed to do its work and I was able to pursuade it to come apart this week. I had imagined the base to be rusted together also but careful inspection about one year ago showed that it was in perfect condition, I just could not remove the piston from the jug. Now I have the delicate operation of freeing up the rings without breaking them. The top ring is starting to loosen, the center one is pretty solid all around and the bottom ring (probably saw less water) is popping out but not completely. Does anyone have a trick to freeing these rings?

Around here at Advance Auto Parts, you can now get P B Blaster in bulk gallon containers. Put some in a peanut butter jar and soak it for another month. Then set it on a hot plate (Wood stove). Lots of patience! That motor doesnt look that bad,how is the cylinder? I have a barrel of old automatic trans fluid mixed with kerosene and have a big JLO cocktail in it ! I just keep on soakin em- see what happens-these things were doomed with the carbs facing the sky!

I haven't cleaned the cylinder but I believe a once through with a stone will clean it up like new. The second ring popped 75% out today and the first is showing signs of releasing. I am gently heating the rings with a propane torch then applying a penetrating oil and allowing to cool. This process is repeated 4 or 5 times daily.

I have had good luck placing the piston in boiling water, then cooling it. They release on the third or forth time.
You can free up a motor by poring the boiling water in it, then let it cool, repeat until it releases.

The bottom two rings popped out yesterday and were successfully removed. The first ring came out in two pieces. I am very sure I didn't break it but probably odd to have a cracked ring. Having never done this before........should I just buy a new WISCO piston and rings or change the rings?

Hey Barrie i was talking to Skiroulle Pete who said he had NOS rings in stock ???

I am in the process of going threw the same thing with a 252 that was locked up. The cylinder looks to be in great shape but the piston, not so much. Anyone know where can i find a piston and rings?

If you are an ebay shopper, there is a place in Greece that sells aftermarket pistons and rings for the JLO L152 and L252 engines. I've bought stuff from this guy using Paypal and I got the stuff in about a week and a half. Here is a link to the 252 rings and a link to the 252 pistons.http://cgi.ebay.com/Piston-Rings-fit-JL ... 27b92dfe1f , http://cgi.ebay.com/Piston-Kit-fit-JLO- ... 5d2dd06ef0 . I've got a set of these rings in my 444 and they seem fine.

hey barrie ive used the taping method befoure use wd40 spray the heak out of it and tap on the piston ring with a block of wood just keep following the ring taping all the time you will notice the ring will start come out of the piston ive doon it lots of times on gas engines

Thanks for the information on the L252 pistons on E-bay.
I just brought home a L252L engine originally from a 1967 Ski-Daddler Sno-Scout. It came stock from the factory with a special dual intake for a dual carb set-up. Top carb has a linkage attached that opens the bottom carb at about 1/2 throttle. The top carb is wide open and the bottom about 1/2 at full throttle. Better be hanging on.
Would we have seen this set-up on a 1967 Hus-ski