Ok I found some flat top pistons for my 400 buildup. They are Metal Leve eutectic. One of my main goals for this buildup is durability. The machine shop that is doing the work on my 400 has these pistons and will sell them to me for $250. I told him my goals for this buildup and he said I may want to go with hypereutectic kieth black or silvolite pistons for durability. I have been searching for flat top pistons for performance reasons but I dont want to sacrifice durability in the process. He also said something about the clearance of the kb could be much smaller. I know keith black or the silvolite are not available in flat top for the 400. What do you guys think? Also how much are the kb or silvolite pistons gonna set me back? I need to watch the pocketbook. Anything else that I am overlooking?

 

What in the world is "Metal Leve eutectic" pistons? Never heard of them. Get a picture of the box, I want to see these. "Eutectic" would mean that they're just a cast piston.

 

Actually it did not say "eutectic" on the box. This is what the machinist told me they were. Not much on the box except the logo, and part number overbore size. I could not find much info on Metal Leve brand except that is associated with Mahle pistons. On Mahle website in the aftermarket section they list Metal Leve as one of their brands.
Mahle aftermarket

Eutectic per kb website is:
This point of saturation in aluminum is known as the eutectic and occurs when the silicon level reaches 12%. Aluminum with silicon levels below 12% are known as hypoeutectic (the silicon is dissolved into the aluminum matrix). Aluminum with silicon levels above 12% are known as hypereutectic (aluminum with 16% silicon has 12% dissolved silicon and 4% shows up as primary silicon crystals).

Pistons produced from these alloy categories each have their own characteristics. Hypoeutectic pistons usually have about 9% silicon. This alloy has been the industry standard for many years but is being phased out in favor of eutectic and hypereutectic versions. Most eutectic pistons range from 11% to 12% silicon.

Eutectic alloys exhibit good strength and are economical to produce. Hypereutectic pistons have a silicon content above 12%. Silvolite’s KB Signature Series pistons use an alloy containing 16-18% silicon. In addition to greater strength, scuff and seizure resistance, the hypereutectic will improve groove wear and resist cracking in the crown area where operating temperatures are severe.

It is the primary silicon that gives the hypereutectic its thermal and wear characteristics. The primary silicon acts as small insulators keeping the heat in the combustion chamber and prevents heat transfer, thus allowing the rest of the piston to run cooler. Hypereutectic aluminum has 15% less thermal expansion than conventional piston alloys.

 

Well what kind of build up are you going for....?

Have you bought a cam....???


Personally I will use a cast piston for a mild street motor and if you are going to build anything more radical than that then you can pretty much forget about durability anyways....

Does this guy just have one set of pistons or are they readily available....?

 

Nothing to crazy. I'm going to go with the comp cams 265DEH,edelbrock intake,carter carb 600cfm,headers. Will get the matched springs for the cam and standard valve job. Trying to shoot for compression ratio of about 9.2.

I saw them in person at the machine shop I am using. They look just like badger or ohio flat tops. The guy had them still new in box. We had to wipe all the dust of the box. They are .30 over. He said these were better quality pistons than the badger or ohio pistons. I cant really remember but I think the part number was P1842. I dropped of my 400 block for cleanup and torque-plate bore and hone at his shop and will ask to see the pistons again when I go back.

 

That's the same combo I have in mind...almost exactly....and I would use those pistons so if you pass on them let me know....

When do you think you will fire up this motor.....???


let's keep in touch I'm sure I could learn a lot from you....

 

I used Metal Leve in a 400. They are made in Mexico. They worked fine even in an engine prone to preignition but effective compression was only about 8.5

 

can you please tell me where to get these metal leve pistons? i tried badger but I was unable to find them and I am running out of patience please help me.

 

im building a 400m right now. i'm going with the kb pistons for the 351 clevland. i had my rods bushed to handle the right size pin. my comp ratio is supposed to be between 9 and 9.5 to 1. i also had the pistons deburred (where all the sharp edges are ground off). this is supposed to increase the life and durability of the piston. the pistons cost me $240 and the machine work came out to around $200.

 

Actually they are made in Brazil. How do you figure effective compression was only 8.5? Were the pistons you used flat tops? These were completely flat except for valve reliefs. Beartracks do you think these pistons are durable and worth $250. How much are badgers,ohio,nylen,dynagear flat tops going for and are they standard cast pistons or eutectic?


thanks for the info redford79. Kb is a nice piston. I was wondering how much the machine work would cost to go that route. Do you think having the rods bushed affected the strength and durablity? Seems I have three options.

1.Stock pistons-Deck block mill heads to achieve higher compression. Added $$ machine work
2.Flat top 400 piston-Higher compression achieved but maybe not as good of piston as kb or silvolite.
3.Bush the rod for a wide selection of performance pistons-A wide range of compresion available but maybe less durability because of bushed rod and also more $$$ for machine work.

dustinleavitt2000 I'm not sure where to get these Metal leve pistons. My machinist just happened to have a set in his shop. zsir you can have these if I pass on em. I'm not sure which way I'm going yet.

 

Not sure where to get them, it was a long time ago. The pistons were flat tops and without eyebrows. I had the heads CC'd to figure my compression. It was supposed to be 9:1 or better according to the pistons. They wound up sitting pretty far down in the cylinder which leads to knock problems even at lower ratios. They did take a ton of abuse without breaking.

The best (and most expensive) solution is Custom JE forgings with a dish. I'm now probably close to 10:1 with no preignition problems

 

How much are we money we talkin about here?