05-04-2016, 08:22 AM | #21 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 13
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Thanks for the answers guys. I'm going to get the right pistons and put it together right. I have always had a low power issue with this engine and now I know why.
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05-04-2016, 11:34 AM | #22 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gardiner Me.
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Re: 59-ab pistons
I've got one of those 59 blocks, but it will hold a pencel on the front, the bore is 3-3/16 + .040 It's hard to figure out if original it was 3-1/16 or 3-3/16. I'm kind of scared to bore it 3-5/16, it's 3-3/16 + .040 now, I think I better try to clean it at .060. What do you think? Walt
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05-04-2016, 11:57 AM | #23 |
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Location: Oshkosh, Wi
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Re: 59-ab pistons
So it has 59 on the bellhousing?
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05-04-2016, 02:02 PM | #24 |
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Location: San Antonio, Texas
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Walt
If you know some one with a sonic test set, you might try that first but a lot of the early ones won't go much more than 3 3/16". If it's already .040" over that, it may be a 239 block anyway. |
05-05-2016, 06:43 AM | #25 |
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Location: Central Ohio
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Yeah - I'd definitely sonic test the bores - at about 12 places per bore. That way, you'll know what you have to work with - along with any slight core shift in place. On a street engine, I like to not go much thinner than about .150 if I have a choice - others will push the envelope and be down around .100 to .120 (that is a bit thin for my liking).
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05-05-2016, 07:44 AM | #26 |
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Re: 59-ab pistons
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I've only had a rudimentary feel around with my fingers and thumbs, it definitely has a lot less heft than my 99A blocks, much more like my 81A and 21A blocks. A sonic test is needed I believe. Martin. Dale, Just out of interest, I've seen Pete post his desired minimum wall thickness to be 0.090" this is after he's hogged um out to north of 3 3/8". I wounder what thickness they monkey motion engines have. I've seen folk get scared at 0.030" over on some of these things. Martin. |
05-06-2016, 08:44 AM | #27 | |
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Quote:
When Pete is building a big-cube motor like this, it is an ALL OUT race deal - so consider that in the thickness numbers. The other problem with old blocks and thin walls is that you don't know where you might have a rust pocket or other thin spot. You can sonic test all you want, but the risk keeps going up - the more you bore. |
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05-06-2016, 01:27 PM | #28 |
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Good stuff Dale,
I'd be really interested on what you find on that 302, just curiosity really, but cool to know. Thanks, Martin. |
05-07-2016, 09:40 AM | #29 |
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Location: Central Ohio
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Sure will - heck, you have me interested as well! The block is what is known as a 'Mexican 302' - it is a 70's block that has bigger main caps - so a 'poor mans way' to build a fairly stout race engine. We'll be putting it into a SCCA/NASA road-race mustang that we have fun with. Nothing like 400 HP in a semi-light race car.
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05-07-2016, 10:06 AM | #30 | |
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Re: 59-ab pistons
Quote:
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The more I learn about new automobiles, the more I value my old ones. |
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