[admin]

I got my gas block yesterday and decided to make a video of my attempts to swap out the old one with the new one. I figured this out as I went along, it took me probably an hour to perform this procedure but the video is only 6 minutes (I cut out most of the "WTF?" and "I can't get the f**ing thing off!!!"). I also had to go to Home Depot half way through the video because the vise I had wasn't strong enough (it was a 3") and I ended up getting the biggest vise Home Depot had (it's a 6") and mounted it to my office table (it's an office ornament when not in use).

This is my first how-to video so it's a little rough at the edges. And since I'm not an expert gun person I'm sure you guys will find some things I could have done better. If there are a significant number of things I did wrong I might be willing to redo the video (next time I would avoid doing it at night where I'm half asleep).

You may blow up your yourself and your rifle following my instructions, so use your own common sense and don't do it if you don't know what you're doing (too late in my case.)

Anyways, here it is, enjoy:

 

[Prizm]

Dude, you're going to be famous! Nice job.

 

[admin]

The video didn't get uploaded completely, I'll have to re-upload. There are 2 minutes missing.

 

[Ranly]

Very good video, boy that looks really simple, I never used a vice to get my flash hider off, I left the barrel in the rifle and braced the stock between my feet and lower reciver between my knees, by god it was hard getting off the flash hider off my way and it bruised my knees... probably looked like I was wrestling my rifle, the proper method looks much easier...

 

[admin]

Very good video, boy that looks really simple, I never used a vice to get my flash hider off, I left the barrel in the rifle and braced the stock between my feet and lower reciver between my knees, by god it was hard getting off the flash hider off my way and it bruised my knees... probably looked like I was wrestling my rifle, the proper method looks much easier...

In the video I had already gotten the flash hider off so it was much easier. But the first time it was definitely a battle.

The part of the video that's missing is the piston head replacement. Between the flash hider and the piston head I would have to say that the piston head was probably more stubborn than the flash hider. When I get the last two minutes of the video uploaded you'll see what I mean, I had to put my whole body weight on it to get it off.

There is a somewhat higher quality and complete version of this video available on this server if you don't want to wait for me to get the new youtube video uploaded:

http://xcrforum.com/XCRGasBlockUpgrade2.flv

 

[TerraShrewsbury]

Lex is a celebrity! ;D

 

[magikbullet]

that looked pretty painless...

how much did the vice cost? was it less than the 25$ terra would've got for doing it? >

 

[aziator]

Good job Lex, Next thing you know people will be expecting videos on a monthly basis.

 

[1redgmc]

I agree with aziator, so lets see some more videos of people actually shooting their XCR!

 

[admin]

The video has been updated, you can play the one in the original post or go to the youtube page:

It is 6 minutes long now, full length feature film! ;D

 

[Ranly]

Darn, looks like I'll need to buy a vise to get the piston head changed... or I could take it to shop class, If I still have enough money left in the bank I probably be getting a new gas block...

 

[V]

Great job Lex.

Does it still go bang,bang?

 

[admin]

V: I will find out in a few hours and hopefuly get it on film.

I overheard a few people on chat talking about the locktite on the gas block. It appeared that there was some locktite, but I did not have to put too much force to get it off. You don't need to heat anything to get it off. Just use an allen wrench and some elbow grease and it should come off fine. I don't have any locktite so didn't put any on after I changed the gas blocks. I'll get some next week possibly. I'm not even sure what kind to get. Terra?

 

[TEXAS SOLFTAIL]

Lex, Roberson should put you on the pay roll for all you have done for them, adds are higher than HELL & this forum is the best add for the XCR that I've seen & you just stepped it up a knoch.

 

[1redgmc]

I don't have any locktite so didn't put any on after I changed the gas blocks. I'll get some next week possibly. I'm not even sure what kind to get. Terra?

BLUE Loctite

 

[EricCartmann]

thanks.

 

[Carl AMG]

I am having a heck of a time removing the old piston head from the op rod especially considering my primitive vice set up. I leaned on it pretty good. Does anyone have any handy tips? Longer wrench for leverage, etc.

The rest of the job was a breeze but you always have to have something to make life a little difficult.

Thanks,

Carl

 

[admin]

As you can see in the video it took all of my strength plus all of my body weight to get the dang thing off!

 

[Carl AMG]

Yes, a better vise and longer handle 1/2 wrench is my next step. I'm 6'1 215lbs and any more pressure on my end would have broken the support table I had the op rod clamped to. I had my hopes after the flash hider came loose easily.

Does Loctite needs to be used on piston head threads?

 

[admin]

Does Loctite needs to be used on piston head threads?

I don't know for sure. But I didn't see any loctite on the piston head. My guess is that the reason it's on there so snug is because the action and heat that the piston head undergoes causes it to fuse with the operating rod over time.