I'm currently rebuilding an Ashlocker to go into the front of my P38. This is a unit @Escaperan for a few years, and then was recovered from his P38 that was in the workshop fire.
Most internals seem fine, but of course the seals need to be replaced. Ordered a seal kit from Ashcroft a few years back, which is 3 o-rings (and should be 4, apparently).
Now for the problem: the o-rings around the piston don't seal anymore, and thus I can't get the piston out of its housing with air pressure. The piston is some sort of brass, so non-magnetic. Hammering doesn't work, soaking in penetrating oil doesn't work.
Any bright ideas?
Also, had to buy new M5 countersunk bolts for the piston retaining ring, as the old ones were made of chinesium and all needed to be drilled out. But it almost looks like the old bolts have been machined down to be flush? Will this actually be a problem?