The Ford Barn

JHarley · 04-28-2022, 06:28 PM

My newly acquired 59 flathead has a notch in Cylinder #2.
It appears that it is suppose to be there and wasn't caused by any damage. Anyone have any ideas what it is? None of the other piston have it.
Thanks, Julie

Tony, NY · 04-28-2022, 06:37 PM

Probably means forward to front of engine. Although, that is a bigger indicator.

VeryTangled · 04-28-2022, 06:41 PM

I'm most certainly not an engine guy.

But generally a mark on the piston means put it towards the front of the engine. That specific one is a little large.

If that's the only one it may indicate this piston is not part of the original set?

petehoovie · 04-28-2022, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

generally a mark on the piston means put it towards the front of the engine. That specific one is a little large.

If that's the only one it may indicate this piston is not part of the original set?

Ronnieroadster · 04-28-2022, 06:59 PM

The notch in the piston is for the direction it should point to the front of the block for assembly. Original pistons and after market pistons will have a notch this large at times.
Ronnieroadster

JHarley · 04-28-2022, 07:02 PM

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OK thanks. It must just be an odd ball. Otherwise I would imagine that they all would have it.

tubman · 04-28-2022, 07:28 PM

Back in the day, it was not unusual to replace one piston if there was a problem. I did it myself a couple of times. We usually sourced the piston form the "piston pile" at the local junkyard. We didn't care what it looked like; if it was whole and it fit, we'd use it.

JHarley · 04-28-2022, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubman

Back in the day, it was not unusual to replace one piston if there was a problem. I did it myself a couple of times. We usually sourced the piston form the "piston pile" at the local junkyard. We didn't care what it looked like; if it was whole and it fit, we'd use it.

Sounds logical. I'm not gonna let it keep me awake at night anyway

thanks fellas

Ol' Ron · 04-28-2022, 10:00 PM

The "Notch" was only used on pistons with ofset wrist pins, So I was told. Otherwise what differance would it make which way you installed the piston??
Gramps

cas3 · 04-28-2022, 11:11 PM

Learned sumthin new there !

Flathead · 04-29-2022, 03:35 PM

They offset the crankshaft.

04-28-2022, 06:41 PM	#3
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: Piston notch I'm most certainly not an engine guy. But generally a mark on the piston means put it towards the front of the engine. That specific one is a little large. If that's the only one it may indicate this piston is not part of the original set? __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

04-28-2022, 06:59 PM	#5
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: Piston notch The notch in the piston is for the direction it should point to the front of the block for assembly. Original pistons and after market pistons will have a notch this large at times. 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" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

04-28-2022, 07:02 PM	#6
JHarley Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Loveland Colorado Posts: 21	Re: Piston notch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) OK thanks. It must just be an odd ball. Otherwise I would imagine that they all would have it.

04-28-2022, 07:28 PM	#7
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: Piston notch Back in the day, it was not unusual to replace one piston if there was a problem. I did it myself a couple of times. We usually sourced the piston form the "piston pile" at the local junkyard. We didn't care what it looked like; if it was whole and it fit, we'd use it.

04-28-2022, 10:00 PM	#9
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Piston notch The "Notch" was only used on pistons with ofset wrist pins, So I was told. Otherwise what differance would it make which way you installed the piston?? Gramps

04-28-2022, 06:37 PM	#2
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 811	Re: Piston notch Probably means forward to front of engine. Although, that is a bigger indicator.

04-28-2022, 11:11 PM	#10
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: sw minnesota Posts: 4,578	Re: Piston notch Learned sumthin new there !

04-29-2022, 03:35 PM	#11
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,499	Re: Piston notch They offset the crankshaft.