Head gaskets are a copper sandwich of asbestos, or something like it. The ones on my engine are original, best I can tell, and in perfect shape. I'll use some copercoat head gasket spray paint just before I reinstall them.
Making progress on the trailer, I got the one wheel to turn free, ended up removing the drum with backing plate still rusted to it, then put just the hub back on. I tried to break the stuck drum loose with an 8 foot bar, 2" solid steel. Had it chained to the spokes on the wheel trying to turn it. Even had the truck hooked to one end of the bar with a chain, four wheel low and all I did was bend the 2" bar.
I am having poor luck finding pistons.
Sounds like most people who need them have them made, mostly by Ross.
I have started calling obsolete engine parts places, one has bearings rings and stuff, but could only find 2 pistons. I have a call in to another similar place about pistons.
I did find a set of 6 on ebay, the auction is passed, but they are still for sale, I called.
Only thing is they are listed for a few years newer engine.
Can anyone explain why 351 pistons changed over the years, and what makes an early one different from a late one? The measurements I have found show they are identical, bore, rings, wrist pin.... so I am missing something, but what?
From my local auto parts store I did get a copy of the engine parts catalog covering the 351. they can't get pistons any more, but there is a listing for two different ones, a low compression, and a higher compression.
See any reason I should not build my engine with the higher compression, about 9:1 I think, if that's the only pistons I can find?
Grigg
