Live and learn, great way to look at it. I like the attitude.
OK, "burping" is simply cracking the throttle 1/2 or more open and immediatly releasing it, usually several times. This action dumps a cool fresh charge of fuel and air, cooling the piston. I am a burping machine when I ride! LOL Depending on your jetting, most 350 pistons get the hottest on a long 1/3 steady ride or long wide open run then just completely letting off the throttle(all the heat built by the run has nowhere to go). Thats where a liq cooling system helps and a few burps cool the piston immediatly. When ever you get the EGT you will see exactly what I am talking about. You can watch it happen.
Next, When ever I have a failure for an unknown reason, I like to do a leakdown test. That way I know its not a bad main seal so it will not happen again right after a rebuild. It took me several new top end rebuilds in a row for that one to sink in! LOL Guess I have to learn the hard way.
When I do a top end pull, I pull the drive clutch, seat, air dams, exhaust and carb/filter first. It just makes getting at the 4 nuts much easier(less cuts on the ol knuckles too). You should not have any trouble with the e 2 exhaust side nuts like this. The other 2 you will need either a stubby box end 14MM or a crows foot 14MM. the crows foot is the best to break the torque with because it uses a ratchet and extension, IMHO.
The jug should slide straight up and off the piston and rod, depending on how siezed it is. I have never had any real problems. You may want to pack some shop towels under it to help catch any "shavings/crunks" from falling into the bottom end before seperation. Hopefully the bore is fine and you can get away with a hone on the cylinder and a new piston.
This is a perfect time to do a rod and crank brearing check for play. I said fore-play, LOL. :wink: You may want to to pull the engine for a complete inspection and it will help you learn more too. Pull the belt shields and starter wires, recoil handle and probably something else that I am forgetting too. I would rinse the bottom end with mixed gas and dump it on a light colored towel to see if anything is coming out. spin the crank to check/feel for anything in the bearings too. Flush it several times until clean.
Take lots of damage pictures for us if you go this route. This is what I do but by no means, don't feel like you have to take my advise. I am just trying to save you some money that the rebuilder will charge you to do. Hell, you might learn something and enjoy working on it too!
Gary
