Piston surgery Q....

[hardtimes]

Need advise regarding milling 'some' portion of the top off of alum pistons.
Specifically, is there any way/formula (or not) to know how much can be safely removed without compromising function , e.g.-.050 ?

[JWL]

It will depend on cast or forged and coated or not.

[Tom Walker]

How thick are the tops?
Are they flats or domed?
If there is plenty of meat and they are flat topped, chuck them in a lathe and turn it off.... very easy job and 50 thou is not much. If they are domed, you could do the same but you may not be able to remove very much.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Tom Walker

How thick are the tops?
Are they flats or domed?
If there is plenty of meat and they are flat topped, chuck them in a lathe and turn it off.... very easy job and 50 thou is not much. If they are domed, you could do the same but you may not be able to remove very much.

Thanks Tom & JWL,
Pistons are cast aluminum flat top ! More confident now !!

[V12Bill]

My vote would be with the 37 to 39 sealed beam conversion replacements. But didn't they have a place for a parking lite as the 37 to 39 had parking lites behind the lens?

[Lawson Cox]

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Originally Posted by V12Bill

My vote would be with the 37 to 39 sealed beam conversion replacements. But didn't they have a place for a parking lite as the 37 to 39 had parking lites behind the lens?

You posted your reply in the wrong thread.

[zzlegend]

Originally Posted by V12Bill

My vote would be with the 37 to 39 sealed beam conversion replacements. But didn't they have a place for a parking lite as the 37 to 39 had parking lites behind the lens?

?????????????????????????????????????????????????: confused:

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by V12Bill

My vote would be with the 37 to 39 sealed beam conversion replacements. But didn't they have a place for a parking lite as the 37 to 39 had parking lites behind the lens?

Hey Bill,
HOLLY NJ !!! Is this 'code' for ...'mill on son' ???????

[Jack E/NJ]

Why 0.050?

Jack E/NJ

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Why 0.050?

Jack E/NJ

Hey Jack,
Well, I've found that the pistons are sticking up above block by .053. I figure that I can live with three , but not the other .050

[JWL]

With uncoated cast pistons I suggest .180 minimum thickness for stock-type use.

It might be worthwhile to check the actual component fit-up clearance before setting out to cut down the pistons by .050. The compressed gasket is about .050 and the heads have dome machining so the possibility of interference is reduced and might require much less than a .050 cut to achieve the desired clearance.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by JWL

With uncoated cast pistons I suggest .180 minimum thickness for stock-type use.

It might be worthwhile to check the actual component fit-up clearance before setting out to cut down the pistons by .050. The compressed gasket is about .050 and the heads have dome machining so the possibility of interference is reduced and might require much less than a .050 cut to achieve the desired clearance.

Hey JWL,
Very good advice, indeed ! I'll take it , thanks !