36coupe
Well-known member
I’ll check. I think 60 over
Used pistons, does anyone save them?
- Thread starter 36coupe
- Start date
I’ll check. I think 60 over
36coupe
Well-known member
I went out to shop and checked, 4 maybe 5 60 over pistons. They would have to be checked over pretty carefully.
ThirstyThirty
Senior Member
According to Mr. AL Overview, Mr cadillac is right!
AI Overview:
Yes, Magnaflux can be used on aluminum. Magnaflux is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method that uses magnetic particles or dye penetrants to detect cracks and flaws in materials.
ThirstyThirty
Senior Member
Those words would be the dividing line for me. refreshing vs. rebuilding. but as kids all our rebuilds were little more than a serious refresh. teardown included!
parts apart, then clean. inspect. hand labor-clean surface head. block deck serviced, clean all mating surfaces, shim rods, shim mains (if needed, usually was!)... refit if worn thru babbitt, paint accordingly. deglaze bores, hand or hone, decarbon pistons, lap valves, shim springs. new parts-gasket kit, sealer, tune up parts, carb overhaul, cam timing gear, rings, belts, etc. I forget costs then, but doubt it was much more than $100, maybe bit less. on first start usually, most of the 'age' was gone, and if still had a knock... oh well... 'run what cha brung!'
john in illinois
Well-known member
Mr AI is wrong Magnaflux is for ferrous. metal only'
For aluminum use dye penetrant Two separate things.
https://www.amazon.com/dye-penetrant-kit/s?k=dye+penetrant+kit&tag=atomicindus08-20
Last edited:
36coupe
Well-known member
I would probably buy any used mercury pistons any size or quantity to repurpose them.
cadillac512
Well-known member
John's correct. Aluminum can't be magnetized so the "Magna" part doesn't apply. The dye process is the deal with non-magnetic metals.
itslow
Well-known member
I suspect the majority follow the same logic.
GB SISSON
Well-known member
Nobody here is suggesting that we should spend 4000.00 on machine work and all those new internals and then install a set of used pistons in the holes. The used (measured and inspected) pistons come into play when we are overhauling an engine for what is most often for our own personal use, and using other tested and inspected used parts as well. I have a great Lisle ridge reamer, a Sioux valve surfacer and three complete seat grinding outfits. Sioux,Black and Decker and VanDorn. All of this equipment was given to me at different times by different people that noticed I take an interest in using the old equipment. I have also wound a strong electromagnet and bought the powder for block magnafluxing and built the block off plates for pressure testing the blocks as well. My guide, long before the internet, has been my aforementioned 'Repair Manual' published for the Ford Motor Company, 'service dept' for Ford and Mercury V8 engines 78-81a-59a series. Publication 3666-48D June 18, 1948.
I have owned and ressurected no fewer than 20 Fh V8 trucks in the last 35 years and overhauled an estimated 8 of their engines with no failures that I know of to date using this manual. These vehicles have served me very well and hauled many tons of logs and lumber for my sawmill and woodshop. Lately it's just as likely I'll be hauling grandkids, but the overhauled engines have never let me down, no matter what I require of them. Last winter I broke tradition and took a crack free 8ba block to a machine shop specializing in vintage engines and I then assembled it with primarily used parts and a previously reground 4" crank. Having no .125+ merc pistons in my piston stash, the machine shop provided new 'store bought' ones which came in a Speedway box. Here's a link to the thread on the subject. A lot of us here had a great time 'working together' on this rather unconventional build.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336892&highlight=276+stroker+parts
Last edited:
Scotty's 52 F3
Well-known member
When I first started working at a Caterpillar dealership we had official Caterpillar guides for reusability of parts. Engines and transmissions, hydraulic pumps, differentials, all of it basically. Even transmission discs and plates. If it checked out, you reused it and it was all documented.
Over the years the labor exceeded the savings (most cases) and Cat would have to cover the warranty instead of the dealership.
Gary and others doing their own personal project don't have the labor or warranty in the equation. They just have the budget as priority. Experience and following the reuse guide minimizes the risk. Success or failure is ultimately their responsibility. "Labor" is actually not applicable to guys like Gary, Mart and I'm sure others. They LOVE it too much to consider it work. Joy is probably a more accurate term.
I also see the other's point of view. Especially if it's for a customer or you just can't bring yourself to take that risk.
Over the years the labor exceeded the savings (most cases) and Cat would have to cover the warranty instead of the dealership.
Gary and others doing their own personal project don't have the labor or warranty in the equation. They just have the budget as priority. Experience and following the reuse guide minimizes the risk. Success or failure is ultimately their responsibility. "Labor" is actually not applicable to guys like Gary, Mart and I'm sure others. They LOVE it too much to consider it work. Joy is probably a more accurate term.
I also see the other's point of view. Especially if it's for a customer or you just can't bring yourself to take that risk.
36coupe
Well-known member
My friend is well into his eighties and has been playing with flatheads for a long time. He grinds his own valves, cuts ridges installs cam bearing. He has to send out for boring jobs and crank grinds. Probably over 3 hour round trip to a machine shop that he trusts. Those shops are disappearing around here. Actually I think he has to go 3 hours one way to a machine shop now.
The first mercury engine I bought from him was built with 30 over used pistons, new mains and cam bearing. Running on an engine stand when I bought it with good oil pressure. 1800 cad I’ve been more than happy with that. His prices have increased as he has to buy more new parts as his stash of of parts has diminished. The second engine I took to him, I has a bunch of nos parts but he condemned the block I found another block that was good with standard bore and he asked me if I wanted a good set of used pistons and I said yes. He did that one for less than a grand, running on the engine stand. I knew exactly what I was getting and have been more than happy. I have 3 running engines for small change, that I will never wear them all out.
If I won the lottery I would have a couple H&H flatheads.
My father is in the former camp. He likes to tell me about the times they rebuilt flatheads in the sandpits after hours at the local Esso station he worked at as a teenager.
He keeps saying you are fussing over too much and getting the darn thing running is half the battle. He would always say they are just 8 B&S motors cast together.
I guess I can see that point, but I also enjoy trying to ring every last hp out of them as well. That is another pursuit and not really relevant to the OP's comment.
He keeps saying you are fussing over too much and getting the darn thing running is half the battle. He would always say they are just 8 B&S motors cast together.
I guess I can see that point, but I also enjoy trying to ring every last hp out of them as well. That is another pursuit and not really relevant to the OP's comment.