Opininons on cast pistons?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 4
Opininons on cast pistons?
Carbdford isn't cooperating at the moment so I'm posting this here instead. My 83 Thunderbird's 302 will get brand new AFR heads in the next few months, increasing it's power potential (and damage potential) significantly. When I rebuilt the engine 2 years ago I made it basically HO spec with E7 heads and a HO spec cam, had the crankshaft reground too but I left the stock pistons pretty much as-is except for new Sealed Power rings. I can only assume those pistons are cast but then again that engine was full of surprises. Being in a Thunderbird it should have had E6 heads and flat pistons, instead it had D8 heads and the pistons had 4 valve reliefs. I can't even be certain this engine wasn't a transplant from something else, I'll never know for sure. But anyway assuming they're cast pistons I'm wondering about their limitations in this application. This car is my daily driver and probably won't see heavy drag strip use...then again I guess it depends on your definition of heavy, I might get sucked into racing every Friday night come summer. With a ceiling of say 6000 RPM how do you think these pistons will fare?
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,106
Likes: 385
From: Southern California
In a stock application (and operational range), cast pistons will work fine, but if you're going to be running 6k at the track, that's pretty heavy for a cast piston to handle on a continuing basis and eventually, you're going to be seeing some fractures. If you were operating in the 5000-5500 range, then that would be different. IMHO I would replace with forged units.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 4
If I replace them though the whole thing becomes unworthwhile. I wasn't really planning to rebuild this engine twice, when it finally wears out I'll have something else ready. I guess I'll keep it under 5500, maybe I'll even install a rev limiter. Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
I've pushed cast hypereutectics to 7500 with zero problems, and this was after a year of daily floggings to 6500. Don't worry about the cast pistons. The 289 Hi-po's, 428CJ's and many, many other old muscle car motors were equipped with cast pistons. You're in good company here. 
