Any idea what the ccs are on those pistons? I haven't found any documentation on them.

 

From the description they appear to be the same as those H653CP pistons you linked above - "Oblong recessed piston design is 0.190 inch deep."

 

I'm curious what the difference would be. They're a bit more expensive.

The ring gaps on the ones you posted are a bit thinner.

 

Okay! So, some good news.

My machinist found two sets of the older 65-ish connecting rods. One locally and one from a supplier in Texas.

The local set only had 5 in it, but the guy only wanted $12 a pop for them, and they weren't reconditioned (which is good since I want to go with ARP bolts).

But, since there were only 5 of them, they were useless so my machinist ordered the reconditioned set from Texas at $30 a piece. I still wanted ARP bolts so I'd have to pay to have them reconditioned again, but figured it was worth it.

THEN, after he ordered them, the local supplier got back with him and told him he found a 6th one, but had no idea if it was part of the same set. But, at $12 a piece it was worth a shot, so my machinist bought those too.


He has both in hand and it turns out, the local set of 6 are actually a closer weight match than the 6 reconditioned ones! He's sending those back and we'll recondition the cheap set.

So, I got a set of 6 older rods for $72! With the cost of ARP bolts and for him to recondition them, I'm going to be way ahead.

I decided on the H653Cp30 pistons so he's going to order those today and get the pins pressed and the block honed.

Moving forward.

 

Are you having him build up a short block or assemble the whole engine? He's doing the head work for you as well?

 

AB, did you get a response back from Comp on doing a roller cam?

 

Must've missed it earlier.
Yes, I did. They said that since they don't make a roller cam for the engine to begin with, that they don't have any blanks to start with.
I was hoping they could take a flat tappet cam as a blank and grind the lobes for roller lifters, but apparently it doesn't work that way.

 

I'm not 100% sure. As of now, he's still just doing machining so it hasn't come up yet.

I had originally planned on assembling everything myself, but the longer I work with the guy, the more comfortable I am with having him do it. I think it'll probably come down to the cost difference. If he wants to charge $100 to put in all the bearings, check crank end play, and make sure it's all good, then that's good insurance. He stands behind his work.

Otherwise, once it's all machined, I'll collect all the parts and bring it home.

 

Miss it I did; thanks for the reply.

Too bad one can't be made, a roller cam would be a good add on for this engine.

 

I think so too. From what I've found, the lifters from a Ford 460 are a great fit. Some binding on the #12 that can be fixed with a grinder, but nothing major. Just need the cam!

 

I think you meant 460?

 

Oops! Yes, typing faster than I was thinking.

Fixed.

 

I believe somewhere in this thread we discussed Speed Pro pistons. I just wanted to mention that I was examining a set of Speed Pro H519P30 - Speed-Pro Hypereutectic Pistons that I bought about 5 years ago. Inside the piston, on the inside of the skirt, in raised letters cast into the piston, it says: India.

 

Alright, some updates!

Looks like everything's been settled and we're making good forward progress.

Mine's the one wrapped in plastic. He had it sitting next to a GM 242 I6 (4.0L)









Here's the set of V8 351w pistons. They were very light. I was impressed. He'd already weight matched/balanced them. The red X is for which 2 of the 8 weren't balanced with the rest.

F-250, I wish I had thought of your previous post and looked and saw where they were manufactured.










Here's the 6 connecting rods I got a steal on. $12 a pop!
They're now reconditioned and outfitted with ARP bolts.







I asked about the copper colored one and he said that's a factory thing where if a rod in a set didn't have enough material on it to condition/balance, they dipped it to add more material. Interesting.

So, things are moving well, and next is finalizing my camshaft, getting an engine kit, and finalizing the block.
After that, it's headwork time.

 

Wow, very nice! I love the photos. That one with the pistons in their boxes is awesome. And the one of the cylinder bores, and the crank, classic photos to lust after, ha ha. Are you going to grind the rods and have them shot-peened as pmuller9 recommended? Forged rods, plenty stong w/o it, right?