TR6 piston removal

[gspens <gspens@interactivemediaworks.com>]

Is there any truth to this:
    I'm trying to free a stuck piston from an old TR6 block.  I soaked
it and now am sledging it from the top  (side actually the block is on
it's side) with a piece of wood (hitting the wood with hammer, which in
turn hits the piston).  A mechanic friend of mine says, "you can't do
that, the piston will only come out one way".  Well as the connecting
rod is still attached and quite rusted to the crank, it seems I have to
hit the crown to push the piston "down" to get it out.  Am I doing the
impossible?  does te pistion have to go "up" to be removed?
Thanks
Graham Spencer