Perhaps you can (eventually) push the pistons way down and then get into each cylinder with a deglazing hone and hone away enough of the rust so that the piston can come out the top.. you're probably looking at re-boring anyway ??In fact, if you're re-boring anyway you're into it for new pistons... whack !!Vince
The cheapy timing tools on the market are pretty much as you have described. I Just got a set off the net for about $ 79 from emiata.com. Though the pin and plate you can make yourself the dial indicator and adaptor are worth the money as they are difficult to produce with any degree of accuracy. And you can't do the timing with out them, just the pin and plate are not enough. Cheers Dan