Multi-level experimental build
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Silly question, but what is involved with swapping to 352 or 360 pistons? Pin diameter the same, or does it require machining? Pin hieght the same, or does it bump compression?
I've heard of people machining the pin hole to use 350 chebbie pistons, but hadn't heard of the FE piston swap.
I've heard of people machining the pin hole to use 350 chebbie pistons, but hadn't heard of the FE piston swap.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,172
Likes: 376
From: Near Los Angeles
Chevy pistons: One thing that comes to mind is the cost. A set of forged 350 pistons goes for around $200 at Summit. You'll pay more than double that for forged pistons for the 300. Also, with the 352 piston, the top has to be shaved. Because these pistons don't have the traditional dish of the 300 pistons, the cr is raised.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
I can understand the forged chebby thing.
I am rather curious about the 352/360 piston swap as I'm sure the day will come in which my 300 needs rebuilt again. It's already .030 over, according to the paperwork I found under the seat after buying the truck. Ironically, the engine rebuild cost over $1700, and I bought the truck just over 1 year later for $1500. If the paperwork was right, the engine now has over 150K on it (or 250K), as I have added 100K+ in the ~12.5 years since I bought it.......
I am rather curious about the 352/360 piston swap as I'm sure the day will come in which my 300 needs rebuilt again. It's already .030 over, according to the paperwork I found under the seat after buying the truck. Ironically, the engine rebuild cost over $1700, and I bought the truck just over 1 year later for $1500. If the paperwork was right, the engine now has over 150K on it (or 250K), as I have added 100K+ in the ~12.5 years since I bought it.......
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
My house. You can have the 300 long block in my '85 for twenty bucks if you come over and pull it. Missing a few parts I pulled off but it's still the entire long block. Only reason the truck is still in my yard is because the scrap yards are only giving a hundred bucks a ton right now.
I don't know about the 360 pistons but the 352's use the same standard 4 inch bore and the same pin as the 300. They are already flattops and the compression height is 50 or 70 thou or some odd taller than the 300 pistons so you have your machine shop machine the crowns to get a 'zero deck' with your block. This leaves about (I've heard) 3-4 cc of valve detent in each piston. Gives a nice fat compression increase.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
That makes sense. I know a 360/390 has a 4.050 bore as standard, but I don't about the pin size/location. I assume the 360 would have the same basic location as a 352, and I can't imagine the pin diameter being much, if any, different.
Interesting info, just not sure I would want to bump the CR too high, with the crappy fuel most places sell these days..... Also, 91 is as high as you can get around here. A little drive down the interstate (90 or so miles) and 93 is available.
Interesting info, just not sure I would want to bump the CR too high, with the crappy fuel most places sell these days..... Also, 91 is as high as you can get around here. A little drive down the interstate (90 or so miles) and 93 is available.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
The 360 uses the same pin and is about .006 off on compression height, just has the 4.050" bore. If the engine is going to be bored anyways, just go to that and you're set. $138 for a set of 6 hypereutectic 360 pistons at O'Reillys, press the pins out of the 300 ones, press into the 360 ones, put on the rings, and drop in. The rings are a little different, so you'll need a ring set for a 360 as well.
I'll do an actual build thread when I get done with this one as well. I'll see about getting some dyno numbers as well, but I'll have to find one that's halfway local.
I'll do an actual build thread when I get done with this one as well. I'll see about getting some dyno numbers as well, but I'll have to find one that's halfway local.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
The 360 uses the same pin and is about .006 off on compression height, just has the 4.050" bore. If the engine is going to be bored anyways, just go to that and you're set. $138 for a set of 6 hypereutectic 360 pistons at O'Reillys, press the pins out of the 300 ones, press into the 360 ones, put on the rings, and drop in. The rings are a little different, so you'll need a ring set for a 360 as well.
I'll do an actual build thread when I get done with this one as well. I'll see about getting some dyno numbers as well, but I'll have to find one that's halfway local.
I'll do an actual build thread when I get done with this one as well. I'll see about getting some dyno numbers as well, but I'll have to find one that's halfway local.
PLEASE get some dyno numbers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
The 360 uses the same pin and is about .006 off on compression height, just has the 4.050" bore. If the engine is going to be bored anyways, just go to that and you're set. $138 for a set of 6 hypereutectic 360 pistons at O'Reillys, press the pins out of the 300 ones, press into the 360 ones, put on the rings, and drop in. The rings are a little different, so you'll need a ring set for a 360 as well.
I'll do an actual build thread when I get done with this one as well. I'll see about getting some dyno numbers as well, but I'll have to find one that's halfway local.
I'll do an actual build thread when I get done with this one as well. I'll see about getting some dyno numbers as well, but I'll have to find one that's halfway local.
Added bonus to having a set of 360 rings, you get a couple extras, just in case you damage one trying to put them on the pistons..... LOL.
I will certainly remember this. My 300 is already .030 over, and if it ever needs to be refreshed requiring more boring, I'll have them stop at .050, if it will clean up there, and go to 360 pistons. They sound a bit lower cost than 300 pistons anyways.
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