It was a pretty common practice to change a set of rods from the bottom, back when the 216's had babbited rods and they would wear too far to just take shims out and re-establish the proper oil clearance. The piston will drop down far enough to unclamp the wrist pin and slide it out of the rod, but it's very unlikely the piston will come all the way out the bottom with the crankshaft in the way. Getting the rings compressed so the piston could be re-installed would be practically impossible. Pull the head and do it the right way!
Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
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