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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 | I wish I had a good story for this one, but I don't... I dropped a piston yesterday, it landed on the engine stand and took a chip out of the bottom of the piston skirt (the long side). The cylinders are in great shape, the pistons were in fine shape too, this was supposed to be a quick clean and new gaskets and back together. So, can I still use the piston or is it toast? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | Photos of the damage would be nice.  My gut says no, get a new one. 
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | What engine are you working on, and where is the chip? If it's anywhere on the skirt at right angles to the wrist pin, that's a thrust-bearing area. If so, make it an expensive paperweight!
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,060 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,060 | There always seems to be an odd lot of pistons on e-bay. Maybe you can find a single piston reasonably priced
1946 1-ton Panel
1952 1-ton Comml. W/Grain Body
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | Rock Auto sells single pistons- - - -we had to buy two of them for John's 261 when we built that one.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 | Sorry, total lack of info there... the engine is a 216, its out of a 1941 1.5 ton truck. I put a picture of it in my photobucket, just click the link with my name to see the pic. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 | It looks like ebay only has pistons for the 37-40 216's, rock auto doesn't sell them, Jim Carter only has over sized sets, so I'd have to rebore my engine. This could be one hell of an expensive lesson. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | What's the bore size, standard or oversize? I've got a bunch of cast iron 216 pistons sitting around that I'm not likely to use on any of the engines I rebuild. I bore 216's 60 over and use aluminum 235 pistons in them. It keeps Babbit rods from wearing out in a hurry due to the lighter weight of the pistons.
While you're in there, consider installing a set of spring steel "piston skirt expanders". They really quiet the engine down by reducing piston slap, especially after a cylinder gets honed and ends up slightly oversize. There are several sets on Ebay right now, at around $20.00 a set.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | There are some new old stock standard bore 216 pistons on Ebay right now- - - -selling singly with a starting bid of $35.00 apiece.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 127 | Thanks for finding that Jerry! Are the pistons for a 53 the same as my 41? If I remember correctly 41 is different than 37-40, but I don't know about after 41. Thanks again! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 223 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2016 Posts: 223 | Hotrod A....check your PM.
Mike
1951 3100 5 window
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | If your pistons are standard bore flat tops, the ones on Ebay will be a drop-in fit.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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