Victory at last!!! Got the stuck piston unstuck and out of the cylinder. No visible damage to cylinder wall. The suggestions from forum members were most helpful. I started with Pete's suggestion of a weak phosphoric acid. Used a diet Pepsi and filled the cylinder. Let set for a couple weeks. Resumed pounding and got my first movement, about 1/4 ", but no more. Pounded for a month with no results. I was using a 5 lb hammer and a steel "drive." Also used a piece of oak and could drive the piston down a 1/4" but no more.

I was focusing my pounding on the wrist pins (from below) as to not break the top of the piston. In final frustration i began to hit the top of the piston (from below) and when the piston cracked and separated, at the level of the rings, it came out the top of the cylinder.

Thanks again to all the forum suggestions.
T

Steve

I just got to this post,,,the piston looks pretty dry, what sort of solvent stuff were you using ?

Park,
I tried to use PB Blaster. I turned the block upside down and filled the cylinder with it. Let it sit for weeks. No real seepage into the piston/cylinder area. I also tried to force the PB Blaster down into the cylinder from the top. I think the piston/rings were fused tight and not letting much seep alongside the piston. I was amazed that there was no visible scaring or on the cylinder walls.

Steve