F23 series engines that consume a lot of oil at low mileage generally do so from the oil rings collapsing; particularly when only "old lady driven." [Google: F23 oil consumption] I'm getting a clean 2001 Honda Accord with 104K miles for free to flip (with rebuilt head, new 100K tune-up, fairly new auto tranny, many other new parts, but #3 oil ring has collapsed, and I'll probably have to clean out the EGR):

On a F23 series engine (F23A4 in my case), can I put the car up on a lift, pull the oil pan, slip the pistons out from below, replace the rings, and with a piston ring compressor tool slip the pistons back into place from below?

If that isn't possible, what about lowering the pistons just enough to swap the oil rings?

This would require that nothing is in the way, that the bottom edge of the piston bores are flat, and hopefully the crank can be left in place and not be in the way. This could turn a ten hour job (plus a lot of parts) into a one hour job without needing to tear much apart, so quite a savings. Having never owned this engine before (and never again if I can help it), I don't know the model specifics.

Has anyone successfully done this on an F23?

(I can pull the head and do this from above, but I'm trying to save time and money)

For any trolls: This is not a rebuild! I'd drive it a few months and if it runs solid, sell it with full disclosure with a bit of other maintenance and detailing. Yes, I've built plenty of engines; but in this case I'm looking for the fastest and cheapest way to swap an oil ring legitimately, so probably swap all rings, in an otherwise sound engine in a car I don't plan on hot-rodding. (I'll use the money made from this car to pay for upgrading my Integra)

 

I don't think that your going to be able to do it with the crank installed. In saying that, I have never tried it, have to wait and see if someone has actually tried it. My hands are too bit go fit in there with the crank installed.

 

Not a chance. Pulling the head is the easiest and only way. The mains intrude into the bottoms of the bores so the pistons won't go out through the bottom even with the crank out (which requires pulling the engine out and getting the oil pump off completely. Big job!)