Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

About 40 years ago my dad bought an old 59AB flathead that had been in an oval track car from the 50's. He had to clean up the bore and install new pistons. I was thinking of having the old pistons glass blasted and used in a engine I want to build. They look to be in great condition with 40 years of dust on them.

I would do this in conjunction with a 59 block, 4" merc crank and 8BA rods.

Tim

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

If they are not scuffed too bad you're probably okay. DO NOT have them glass beaded. The glass or any other medium for that matter will imbed in the piston surfaces. This will become like sandpaper as the crystals fall out of the pistons as a the engine heats up.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

What is best way to clean them up then. Carb cleaner?

Tim

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Yes probably. I have a paint can sized container of carb cleaner. A good soaking in that with a light Scott Bright pad scrubbing will do the trick.

Make especially sure that the ring grooves are perfectly clean. You'll be fine.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Yes Scotch Bright and either gasoline, (I know, I know flamable) or kerosene, then
hit them with carb clean or brake clean.
Bead blasting is real bad in the ring lands, they won't seal after that.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

What about using Walnut Shells, they do that with critical Air Craft parts.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

All the normal cautions apply here:

No breaks or damage, size is correct for bore, pin bore wear is minimal, and finally, ring groove damage or wear does not exceed specs. If the previous engine was used on dirt tracks the likelihood of ring groove viability is significantly reduced.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Soda blast them you can make up a blaster to do the job.The info from JWL must be done before any progress can be considered.

R

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Probably Jahns Piston, very popular back then. Must have .003" Plus for clearance, also very heavy. Make nice ash trays. Buy a set of Egge's

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

I am surprised that only one person has mentioned to measure the darn things. Who cares "what they look like". Looks don't cut it. Proper dimensions do...

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

I thought that was an obvious thing. I'm pretty sure the machinist will measure and give them the thumbs up or down for sizing.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

They have to be merc pistons to use with a merc crank.

R

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

havnt you got a piston cleaning machine in the kitchen , lady of house calls it a dishwasher , when she is out shopping with her girl friends it becomes a piston cleaning machine

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

I thought I was the only one who did this!:D

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

I learned the hard way that when using used pistons a little xtra clearance is needed (I made an engine with new sleeves too tight for the used pistons and scored pistons and cyl walls---it was also part of the owners blame, he was going on a trip the same day as car was finfshed, told him to take slow roads, he went flat out on parkway, his next engine was made on the very loose side, no problems, outlasted the cars body
I have experimented a lot with used engine parts, my daily driver now has used piston rings that had 200,000 miles on them when I put them in, I have reused rings and bearings with 300,000 miles with no problems, I have also refused to reuse engine parts with less than 10,000 miles too

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Post some pictures of the tops and insides - would like to see what they are. As noted, Jahns was by far the most popular . . . kind of a heavy cast piston that everybody used, but were not that great of a design. But hey, if they are not worn too badly, might be just fine. Are the pins with them and are they rusted?

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Never ever bead blast with glass beads on any engine PART.

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

These pistons came out of an engine made up of the following. 59AB block, 4" merc crank, 8 BA rods. Dad had his block bored 30 over for cleanup, Over the last many years I traded for a near perfect (visual on the outside)59AB block and 4" merc crank (worn standard). Also have 8BA rods. Pistons go in the dishwasher when I get home form holiday trip.

tim

Re: Using 3 5/16 pistons salvaged from an overhaul.
 

Be sure to measure each piston.