3 3/8 pistons

Brian

Brian

Well-known member
Wanting to build a budget big bore engine [is there such a thing?], anyway, enquiring about pistons. I have previously used Ross, however, they are too pricey for this build. Egge pistons are available, however, I have read on here of people having issues with the domes on this brand. Speedway have some listings too, previously when I've used Speedway hyper-eutectic pistons, I found the deck heights to be a bit low, meaning the edges of the pistons don't come up level with top of block. Can any of you guys advise a reasonably priced, big bore, 3 3/4" stroke, 3 ring set of pistons that fit the bill? Thank you.
 
use Egge pistons for over 20 years and never had a problem, I think their 3 ring pistons are the best street pistons you can buy.
 
Cast pistons are ok if you keep the rpm down.
There are a LOT of companies besides Ross making forged pistons now.
You have to ask. They don't advertise flathead ones.
 
I've just got a cheap set of 3-3/8 pistons in my dragster and wound the hell out of it for 3yr's and broke everything behind the engine, clutch, trans, driveshaft, rear end, axel, I've never even changed spark plug in the engine. Walt
 
Walt, Yeah, I just run el cheapo cast pistons in my high revving 221, after many hard miles they rattle when cold, but they have stayed intact.
So...to answer my original question- what brand are your 3-3/8 pistons that take this hammering?
Pete, Yeah- I am asking
 
Brian said:
Walt, Yeah, I just run el cheapo cast pistons in my high revving 221, after many hard miles they rattle when cold, but they have stayed intact.
So...to answer my original question- what brand are your 3-3/8 pistons that take this hammering?
Pete, Yeah- I am asking
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As long as your not running the salt or a stock car you won't have any trouble with EGGE pistons. In the last 15 yr's since I've been (retarded) I build 8-10 flatheads every winter. They all have EGGE pistons. I've never had trouble with them hitting the heads unless the heads have been milled to much. Most of these engines have 8.5 ratio. Walt
 
Brian said:
Wanting to build a budget big bore engine [is there such a thing?], anyway, enquiring about pistons. I have previously used Ross, however, they are too pricey for this build. Egge pistons are available, however, I have read on here of people having issues with the domes on this brand. Speedway have some listings too, previously when I've used Speedway hyper-eutectic pistons, I found the deck heights to be a bit low, meaning the edges of the pistons don't come up level with top of block. Can any of you guys advise a reasonably priced, big bore, 3 3/4" stroke, 3 ring set of pistons that fit the bill? Thank you.
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I have a nice set of 3-ring original 3-3/8 NOS Ford pistons that have been
coated with teflon for reduced friction and heat dispersal (top). Email me
and I'll send you a picture. Will sell cheap. schwartzzz@earthlink.net
 
Would you be interested in NOS 3-3/8 Ford 3-ring pistons that have been
coated with Teflon for reduced friction and heat transfer (top). If so, email me and I'll send pictures.....schwartzzz@earthlink.net
 
Is the block already bored way out? If not, why take a good block to 3 3/8 - only to run a 3 3/4 stroke crank? The end result is a 268 cube engine - which isn't all that much.

I know you're trying to stay on the cheap, but why not pickup a 4" Merc crank, bore the block .060 and end up about the same? You can probably find some Merc pistons for fairly cheap.

Or, use a 4" Merc crank and a 3 5/16 bore and have a nice, reliable and stout 276 incher. Plenty of these pistons around - everybody will have them.

I just don't see a lot of reason to bore a block to the max . . . only to end up with less than 270 cubes. :)
 
Dale, good points. Block is std bore. Crank, I already have, French 3 3/4 stroke, and I've had it ground to suit bearings I have in hand. [ .020"-.020"]
From a performance point of view, one will gain more by boring than stroking.
The last engine I built was a 3 5/16" x 4 1/8" [284], was not a budget build by any means, and was still slower than my 221 water pump in head engine! [which obviously is no budget build either!]
A 4" crank is not easy to find in New Zealand.
I see every reason to bore any engine to its maximum- even Roger Huntington suggests that, if you're going to have to bore and purchase new pistons, you might as well bore as big as possible.
Honestly man; do you really think, anyone is going to wear out a flathead in todays world? I've been trying to wear out/blow up my 221 for years!
And....I certainly do not subscribe to the notion that maximum performance is achieved through maximum displacement, ie, boring AND stroking. My 284 build convinces me of that.
 
Bored and Stroked has it right. Anything can happen. Not just wear. I have seen several examples of happy owners who had that extra .060, or more, available in the bores. Adding to the stroke is a good alternative. But, absent stroking, the difference between a 3 5/16 and a 3 3/8 engine would be very difficult to see. Of course it is your stuff to do with as you see appropriate. I'm just not sure due diligence has been conducted.

If the 284 was a "dog" compared to the 221 something just wasn't right. There is certainly much more potential in the 284.
 
JWL said:
Bored and Stroked has it right. Anything can happen. Not just wear. I have seen several examples of happy owners who had that extra .060, or more, available in the bores. Adding to the stroke is a good alternative. But, absent stroking, the difference between a 3 5/16 and a 3 3/8 engine would be very difficult to see. Of course it is your stuff to do with as you see appropriate. I'm just not sure due diligence has been conducted.

If the 284 was a "dog" compared to the 221 something just wasn't right. There is certainly much more potential in the 284.
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haha.... Brian's 221 is not just any old 221, it's a screamer that has seen off small block chevs in its racing days, and currently resides in his 35 Tudor.
 
Brian, would you care to give a show and tell on your 221? Possibly in a new thread would be best.


Mart.
 
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