Mike/Nebraska
Senior Member
I thought I read somewhere that you could use 327 chevy Pistons on the Model A rods. It also said 351 ford pistons. Can anyone verify that?
Chevy Pistons in a Model A engine.
- Thread starter Mike/Nebraska
- Start date
DougVieyra
Well-known member
I doubt that it is so. Although I believe that my Model A's Ron Kelley built 'Touring' 4-cylinder engine has inserted bearings that are Chevrolet inserts.
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
Yes, you can use 283 Pistons with a little machine work, ...however there is not a real advantage IMO. The wrist pin size is different, the Chev. pistons are heavier, and you lose a little compression into the piston's valve reliefs. The only gain was the narrower ring. If you are looking for a performance piston on a budget (less $$ than custom made), then ask Rich Falluca about his new piston.
George Miller
Well-known member
Yes it is the 283 piston not 327. I have used them many times. They are heaver but they are cam ground. Model A pistons have slot in the skirt. Chev pistons are better made. But for most engines the Model A pistons are OK.
The chev pistons work well with the special made rods that use inserts and are made to use the chev pistons with the smaller chev wrist pins.
The chev pistons work well with the special made rods that use inserts and are made to use the chev pistons with the smaller chev wrist pins.
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Bob Bidonde
Well-known member
I have thought about cutting away some of the skirt material on a set of Model A pistons to reduce their weight. Has anyone done this?
Juggler
Senior Member
This is a set I bought used.
I was thinking of using them in a diamond A block with a slimmed down (English) c/w B crank. I was also thinking of adding a little stroke (motor will be for hillclimbing/sprints and won't see much road use if any) but remember somebody (Jim B?) saying on here that they wouldn't be suitable for that mod. Is that because you can't take too much off the top of the Chev piston because of the valve relief, or because it would take the top ring too close to the top of the bore?
They are not in front of me to look at right now (I'm back in UK)
Many thanks
Juggs
I was thinking of using them in a diamond A block with a slimmed down (English) c/w B crank. I was also thinking of adding a little stroke (motor will be for hillclimbing/sprints and won't see much road use if any) but remember somebody (Jim B?) saying on here that they wouldn't be suitable for that mod. Is that because you can't take too much off the top of the Chev piston because of the valve relief, or because it would take the top ring too close to the top of the bore?
They are not in front of me to look at right now (I'm back in UK)
Many thanks
Juggs
Patrick L.
Well-known member
I believe the 'newer' Ford pistons used are from the venerable old 352.
You can use 283 Chevy, 302 Chevy, 352 ford fe, and ford 351M pistons they all need some modifications to work.
Silvolite used to make Model A Pistons that used modern rings, but not enough people bought them so they stopped making them. Egge makes them with the modern rings.
Silvolite used to make Model A Pistons that used modern rings, but not enough people bought them so they stopped making them. Egge makes them with the modern rings.
Jim Brierley
Well-known member
I've used 283 Chev, 351, 332 & 352 Ford and others. I made steel bushings on the 283, and pressed the pins in like Chev does. 332 Ford stick out of the bore about .015" so are better than 352 which are low. The right 351 (not Cleveland) are almost perfect but are also 4". A little can be taken off the top of all but I wouldn't take off enough for a stroker. The ARP nuts shown by juggler are the ones I recommend, they will even work on a B engine using an A pan, without dimpling the pan. Part #300-8333. Have fun!