The Ford Barn

38 coupe · 08-30-2022, 06:43 PM

While looking at my crankshafts I recently realized one of my 4" Merc cranks is offset ground with rod journals sized to standard prewar Ford. I concluded I have a 4 1/8 stroke crankshaft. I have rods and rod bearings for that setup, but not pistons. Looking around the internet all I find is forged pistons for that stroke, typically with a hefty oversize on the bore. Does anyone know where I can get reasonably priced cast pistons for 4 1/8 stroke, preferably with bore less than 0.125 over?

Thanks,
Fred

Ken/Alabama · 08-30-2022, 08:18 PM

I’ve got a 4 1/8” crankshaft in my 40 with 3 3/8” bore . Bought pistons from Ross.

tubman · 08-30-2022, 08:23 PM

It's a long shot, but I got some discontinued oversize pistons cheap (closeout) from Speedway Motors several years ago. They weren't listed in their catalog or on-line, but they had 'em.

They seem to have been left with the "unusual" sizes.

Tim Ayers · 08-30-2022, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

While looking at my crankshafts I recently realized one of my 4" Merc cranks is offset ground with rod journals sized to standard prewar Ford. I concluded I have a 4 1/8 stroke crankshaft. I have rods and rod bearings for that setup, but not pistons. Looking around the internet all I find is forged pistons for that stroke, typically with a hefty oversize on the bore. Does anyone know where I can get reasonably priced cast pistons for 4 1/8 stroke, preferably with bore less than 0.125 over?

Thanks,
Fred

Fred,

I'd give Egge a call. I believe they can do special order stuff. I doubt they stock a 4 1/8" stroke piston, but it shouldn't be hard for them to make one.

A custom sized set of Ross pistons cost me $675 without rings, so I'd assume Egge would cheaper.

outlaw · 08-30-2022, 10:38 PM

When I got my 4 1/8" pistons from Egge, they were a common in stock item. That was about 10 years ago though.

cadillac512 · 08-30-2022, 10:56 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Egge still lists them in the current offerings, but smallest oversize is .125" as Fred observed. But hey...may as well go for it. It'll probably out last us anyway!

Terry

flatrod · 08-31-2022, 10:21 AM

I called all around looking for .080 pistons for 4 1/8 stroke and found nothing about a year ago. I didn't want forged, and I didn't want to bore the block again so it's all sitting on the shelf waiting.

Ol' Ron · 08-31-2022, 10:27 AM

I don't like to use Ross pistons in a street engine, but you don't have much choice now days. On my 296ci engine I foumd a set of steel strut piston 4 ring pistons at a flee market for 50 bucks. Fit the pistons with .0015/.002" clearance/ It was still running 10 years later when replaced with a 294 ci Blown engine.
I offered to refresh the original engime engine , but the owner said it didn't use a drop of oil, so now it's a spare. be nice if someone like EGGE would make oversize pistons in the strker version . But no market.
Gramps.

Ronnieroadster · 08-31-2022, 01:03 PM

Egge should be able to supply the stroker pistons your looking for and as Tim wrote they will be a lot less money than forged. Custom sizing usually is not a problem for Egge.
Ronnieroadster

Ol' Ron · 08-31-2022, 03:28 PM

Having done business with Egge for over 30 years, they are not very helpful. I wanted ONE (!1) .020 3 5/6 x4 piston , but I had to buy 4. I asked why, and never got a straight answer so I bought 8 and all te cylinders. Now I have a set of 3 5/16 x 4 pistons for something I\ll probably never bui;d/
This is one of many good reasons I don't build enigmas anymore, and most shops are closed. Thise that are still in business, won't build a flathead, but TG they'l do mschine work, like boring millimg heads and valve jobs. But they'er not cheep
Gramps
Sorry about the spelling, can't see any more either.
G

08-30-2022, 06:43 PM	#1
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,042	Cast 4 1/8 pistons? While looking at my crankshafts I recently realized one of my 4" Merc cranks is offset ground with rod journals sized to standard prewar Ford. I concluded I have a 4 1/8 stroke crankshaft. I have rods and rod bearings for that setup, but not pistons. Looking around the internet all I find is forged pistons for that stroke, typically with a hefty oversize on the bore. Does anyone know where I can get reasonably priced cast pistons for 4 1/8 stroke, preferably with bore less than 0.125 over? Thanks, Fred

08-30-2022, 08:18 PM	#2
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,395	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? I’ve got a 4 1/8” crankshaft in my 40 with 3 3/8” bore . Bought pistons from Ross.

08-30-2022, 08:23 PM	#3
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,638	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? It's a long shot, but I got some discontinued oversize pistons cheap (closeout) from Speedway Motors several years ago. They weren't listed in their catalog or on-line, but they had 'em. They seem to have been left with the "unusual" sizes.

08-30-2022, 10:38 PM	#5
outlaw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eagle River,Alaska Posts: 370	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? When I got my 4 1/8" pistons from Egge, they were a common in stock item. That was about 10 years ago though.

08-30-2022, 10:56 PM	#6
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,172	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Egge still lists them in the current offerings, but smallest oversize is .125" as Fred observed. But hey...may as well go for it. It'll probably out last us anyway! Terry __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

08-31-2022, 10:21 AM	#7
flatrod Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 308	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? I called all around looking for .080 pistons for 4 1/8 stroke and found nothing about a year ago. I didn't want forged, and I didn't want to bore the block again so it's all sitting on the shelf waiting.

08-31-2022, 10:27 AM	#8
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? I don't like to use Ross pistons in a street engine, but you don't have much choice now days. On my 296ci engine I foumd a set of steel strut piston 4 ring pistons at a flee market for 50 bucks. Fit the pistons with .0015/.002" clearance/ It was still running 10 years later when replaced with a 294 ci Blown engine. I offered to refresh the original engime engine , but the owner said it didn't use a drop of oil, so now it's a spare. be nice if someone like EGGE would make oversize pistons in the strker version . But no market. Gramps.

08-31-2022, 01:03 PM	#9
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,697	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? Egge should be able to supply the stroker pistons your looking for and as Tim wrote they will be a lot less money than forged. Custom sizing usually is not a problem for Egge. Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead, Focus and Finish "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 First Ford flathead roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH reset the record in 2024 to 211.830 running to mile four. Top speed 2024 mile five 220.672 exit speed 221.587

08-31-2022, 03:28 PM	#10
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: Cast 4 1/8 pistons? Having done business with Egge for over 30 years, they are not very helpful. I wanted ONE (!1) .020 3 5/6 x4 piston , but I had to buy 4. I asked why, and never got a straight answer so I bought 8 and all te cylinders. Now I have a set of 3 5/16 x 4 pistons for something I\ll probably never bui;d/ This is one of many good reasons I don't build enigmas anymore, and most shops are closed. Thise that are still in business, won't build a flathead, but TG they'l do mschine work, like boring millimg heads and valve jobs. But they'er not cheep Gramps Sorry about the spelling, can't see any more either. G