Piston removal
 

I have a 2003 CR dodge. the head is cracked and off and I need to repmove and replace the #4 piston. Can this be done "in frame" or do I have to pull the motor? I know the local shop has done it in frame but I don't know how. Any help would be great.

In the military we did this routinely. You can take it out from the top or bottom, if the head is already off, unbolt the rod cap and turn the engine over and use the crankshaft to get the piston to TDC, then with the wooded handle of say...a hammer, push the piston out and have a friend catch it and lift it out. If you want to go out the bottom, unbolt the rod cap, and have a friend tap it down while you guide the rod around and make sure not to hit the crank. I would recommend going out the top personally.

I have never seen an engine except for a Crosley that you can pull the piston out from the bottom. You might have to jack the engine up some to get the oil pan off but once that is done just unbolt the rod cap and remove it , then carefully push the piston out the top. The care is to keep from scaring the crankshaft.