Yep, back in the 30's aluminum was expensive, takes a lot of electricity to extract it and production of electricity was low. Also the engines of the time all had cast iron pistons, aluminum is too weak, it took time for the designers to come up with the alloys to add to it and the addition of the steel band that is hidden inside the pistons to control size and shape during expansion. The iron pistons were made smaller than the cylinders due to expansion when heated, which resulted in some rattling while the engines were cold, until they reached operating temperature. I went to NADC, completed engine basics, and engine rebuilding before having to drop out for family problems.

 

maples01, what years were you at NADC? I was there 83/84.

 

I was there 92 after I graduated high school.

 

I was planning to go to NADC when I graduated HS in 91 but when I saw what the recession back then was doing inside of the dealerships I decided not to. Briggs and Stratton made an attempt to use an Aluminum piston in the model "K" engines but it was unsuccesful (probably why they are so hard to find these days due to short production run).

Made sure the cats are out of the tool box permanently. Shut the lid and locked it. Next time they get in it it's target practice....