Good Cylinders With Unmatched Pistons?
 

Hi,

Hoping for some advice....

I just picked up a set of 3.0 cylinders that look great. I do not have the matched pistons, and it will be unlikely that I get the correct ones form the box that they are in.

I know that I should use JE's, but I can get these pistons for free, and they will be within spec. Is there any concerns about doing this??

Could this be a good way to save $1000?


Perhaps, I should just buy the JE's??


Thanks for any help.

As long as they fit properly and are correct for the type cylinder (Nickasil or Alusil), they can work fine. I check the fit with feeler guages. You should have .002 to .004 inches of clearance from the skirts to the cylinders. I had a set that were too loose (.005-.006) and had the skirts coated to build them up. They are still in the car and seem to be working fine.

-Andy

Do you track the car?

The reason I ask if you track the car, is that it would have much more stress than a street driven car. I may not race it this or next year, but it will auto-X. And, I may race in the near future.

Yes, it's a race car. It has about 30 race hours and 3000 street miles since the rebuild. I'm going to take it apart in the next few weeks to put Euro pistons in. I'll let you know how the skirt coating held up.

-Andy

Thanks.

"As long as they fit properly and are correct for the type cylinder (Nickasil or Alusil), they can work fine."

- eagledriver -

Very insightful! Must have done an extensive internet search, right?

Page 209 in Wayne's rebuild book is a good resource for the clearance numbers you'd like to achieve between pistons and cylinders of the various size groups.

I've made a new friend!

-Andy

Thanks everyone. As much as I would like to buy new JE's, the family would not be appreciative of it.

It is good to see that it can work. I have Wayne's book. It is an excellent resource. I was wondering if there would be an issue with the rings seating etc. But I see others are doing it with success.

I am planning on using an unmatched set that will be well within spec.


Thanks for the help.