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| | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 | Long story short...I pulled the engine after trying for a while to determine why it would not idle after taking tests and messing with the carbs/ignition. I got the engine apart and found two pistons have holes in them. #2 has some pin holes and a crack in the second piston groove. #4 has about a one inch hole in the second piston groove! No wonder my compression was so bloody low on #4.
So I am looking for new pistons and was wanting some recommendations. I'm leaning towards Egge Machine, but my old pistons were an awesome find and I was wanting something along those lines. My old pistons were domed for these engines. You just cant find that now days unless you go custom I looks like.
So, does any one know where I can get some more domed pistons? Or, who has a good vendor for reg. pistons? Egge looks to be around #216.xx for a set...Thanks for the help! I'm so [censored] they broke....
58' 3200 235 3-speed/OD
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 200 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 200 | Being that they were domed pistons, that's likely the reason they are cracked. Broken ring lands is a sure sign of detonation. Dome pistons doesn't always mean better power and performance.
We cannot solve our problems today using the same thinking we used when we created them!
Albert Einstein
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | Think I would stay away from the domed pistons if youare building a daily driver. Go with a stock piston for that engine, make sure you have the correct heat range spark plug and that the ignition timing and point gap are correct.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 566 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 566 | well if your looking for new old stock try these guys I am assuming your talking about your 1958 235 engine Lester J. Harris 2763 E. Valley Rd. Minden, NV 89423-9097 775-267-2559 775-267-2241 Antique Auto Supply 1225 Colorado Ln. Arlington, Texas 76015 817-275-2381 Fax 775-234-9858 Email: [email protected]www.antiqueautosupply.comor you bug these guys not sure what they have but maybe they can tell you who to go to. Patrick’s Antique Cars & Trucks P.O. Box 10648 Casa Grande, AZ 85130 (520) 836-1117 Fax: (520) 836-1104 www.patricksantiquecars.comLangdon's Stove Engine Parts 47950 Robin St. Utica, MI 48317-2461 586-739-9601 Fax: 586-739-9601 www.stoveboltengine.comJJ Inlines P O Box 1239 Sandy, Oregon 97309 503-762-5083 www.jjinlines.com
"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and begin to slide, please dear God protect my sweet ride." -Amen 56 Chevy 3100 | | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 566 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 566 | well if your looking for new old stock try these guys I am assuming your talking about your 1958 235 engine Lester J. Harris 2763 E. Valley Rd. Minden, NV 89423-9097 775-267-2559 775-267-2241 Antique Auto Supply 1225 Colorado Ln. Arlington, Texas 76015 817-275-2381 Fax 775-234-9858 Email: [email protected]www.antiqueautosupply.comor you bug these guys not sure what they have but maybe they can tell you who to go to. Patrick’s Antique Cars & Trucks P.O. Box 10648 Casa Grande, AZ 85130 (520) 836-1117 Fax: (520) 836-1104 www.patricksantiquecars.comLangdon's Stove Engine Parts 47950 Robin St. Utica, MI 48317-2461 586-739-9601 Fax: 586-739-9601 www.stoveboltengine.comJJ Inlines P O Box 1239 Sandy, Oregon 97309 503-762-5083 www.jjinlines.com
"As I lay rubber down the street, I pray for traction I can keep, but if I spin and begin to slide, please dear God protect my sweet ride." -Amen 56 Chevy 3100 | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | To my knowledge, domed pistons were never used in these engines as a factory piece, they are all flat top. I do know that domed pistons existed in the aftermarket, though. They pop up from time to time on Ebay.
Personally, I would suggest gong back to a stock type piston, my preference being TRW forged, just like the factory pistons were. Sealed Power pistons (with their rings) would also be a good choice. If you want a little extra compression, milling the head will bump it up a bit.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,868 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,868 | The "domed" pistons were used in the late 1930's-early 40's engines, weren't they? They've got a slight radius on top, not a huge lump like most folks associate with a racing piston. I've seen lots of NOS domed pistons on ebay auctions and they're always listed as early 216 applications.
Jerry
Edit: There are several sets of 1937-1940 domed new old stock pistons on ebay now, in various oversizes. 1941-up pistons are flat tops.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 11/22/2013 8:57 PM.
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| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,544 | You are correct Jerry, my '40 has the pistons with the dome. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 547 | Well my old pistons had the big lump and I believe they were for a 216 originally since I had to massage the domes to fit the 848 head.
I'm gonna go with some regular flat tops, probabl Egge if my machinist doesn't have a good source. If any one is building a race motor, I was able to find some domed pistons at ROSS pistons. They will do custom pistons for a number of different motors. The price listed for the 235 pistons was around $677.xx. Just for someone's future reference.
58' 3200 235 3-speed/OD
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 255 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 255 | Have you checked Patricks. They list pistons for various engines. Was looking at a set of Venolias for the 270 when I get the time to work on it. Good luck. Jim | | |
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