high compression aluminum pistons

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fordman67

Senior Member
Ok,so I am rebuilding the engine for my 25 tudor.since I have to replace the pistons I am thinking about doing the high compression versions. My question is if anyone knows how much they raise the comp to? Also if anyone has any personal experience with them good or bad.the car is just a family car and I am wanting to make it not get me runover when I drive it any more than I have to.also doing high volume intake and dual outlet manifold.nothing else.
 
They raise the compression to 6:1. You are better off with stock pistons and Z head. Still 6:1 but better flow more HP.
 
By coincedence I rode in a 24 touring today with a recent valve job & added (used) high compression pistons. Everything else was just cleaned up & adjusted. The increase in perfomance was very evident. I would not hesitate to go this way.
 
i heard the "Z head" as people call is 5.3:1 compression ratio. If the high compression pistons are 6:1 then they might be better value at this point, unless you want to change the head to one designed to work with standard pistons later
 
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Don't get me wrong,I would love to buy head.but at this time I can't afford head.and have to buy pistons any way.I am not building a race car.just a dependable family crusier.from a bang for the buck standpoint it makes sence.was just curious if there were any pitfalls that I had not thought of.why are the pistons 40 cheaper at snyders versus langs?
 
It always pays to check pricing from different people. Snyders probably bought a big run of pistons a while back and haven't sold out of them yet. So the price is lower.
They also seem to be a little cheaper across the board on several items anyway.
The high compression pistons are a good bang for the buck. I have run the high comprerssion pistons and also shaved the head.
They make for a real sweet running motor.
 
Retail price on parts has much to do with overhead costs of running a business. Running a business from a rural location (especially when that location has been in the family for several generations) compared to a business run out of an industrial strip mall (high operating costs) has an affect on retail pricing. Just saying!
BTW, the Ricardo principle of air/fuel mixture turbulence prior to and during combustion come into play here. If cost is not a detriment, go with a high comp head rather than high dome pistons.
 
Hi. I have done the piston thing including 312 Thunderbird pistons from the 50's. If you wanna go fast drop the head down. And I mean DROP it. Shave the hell out of it, deck the block, and then go get your jar of Prussian Blue and start scraping. I have done 2 engines whose heads and blocks I scraped togther so well that they didn't need head gaskets. It really can be done. Just plan on donating about 100 hours of your life. And they do run like mad. We used to go to the local airstrip to get the gas. On the other hand, good new hot pistons are fine provided your bottom end is in A-1 condition. It's all about the squish I guess.
Henry's 75 MILLION iron pistons dragged a bunch of people and stuff countless miles with a pretty good track record. Sometimes the best way to look forward is to look back. Guess I'm a purist at heart but I do like to go fast on occasion.
 
I wouldn't even mess with that engine. I mean, if it seems a T should go fast, go all out and put a 350/350 combo. Personally I don't seem to find it necessary to modify Henry's perfect design to do anymore with it than what it was meant to do.
 
Hey fellas! Thanks for the input.I am just wanting a good running ANTIQUE car.IF I wanted something fast...I assure you I have that covered...no awful 350/350 combos(just wrong on so many levels).and if i want to drive a truly fast T I have that covered also.this is just my family car and I simply want it to run as effeciently and affectively as i can with out going to far away from stock.After all,I bought a T and dont want a modern vehicle and loose the attitude of the ol gal.I have a street rod with modern drivetrain so modern driver is handled.I think the problem is when we loose sight of what these cars are and what they are capable of.In the end IT is up to each owner to do what they want to with THEIR car.

I am doing the high comp pistons mainly because I am buying pistons anyway(engine being rebuilt).So a bit of power to get the ol gal moving is just an added bonus.
 
Yeah, I know, I'm just jerkin' your chain. I'm kinda' in a mood tonight and felt if I didn't act like a troll no-one would. Build your engine anyway you want. We all have that right. And if the way henry built them was so important to me I guess I wouldn't have put kevlar bands in my transmission, anderson timer and aluminum fanbelt pulley on my engine or new style wheel seals and lined brakes on my rearend. Hell if it was that important to us we couldn't change our tires because of the improvements that have occurred in rubber. And besides your reply made me feel like a damn fool for saying anything and now I'll go lay by my dish.
 
ha ha ha ha! NO you are fine! one must always see the humor in everything.The bad part is that no matter what, somewhere there is some person that feels that way. If I had a nickel for every jack leg that asked me if I was gonna make it a "hot rod" I could buy a really good steak dinner.But in the end my desire to leave it basically stock is why it was sold to me and not the others wanting to buy it and offering more money.The lady wanted it to not be cut up.

Henry did plenty correct no doubt.But I am not afraid to improve on anthing I can.IF I WANT TO! because it is mine
 
Do take at least .050 off of your head also, I always do .125 and with the high compression pistons and the head shave, my car is still a hand cranker.
Starts 1/4 of a turn on the mag.
 
fordman67 said:
ha ha ha ha! NO you are fine! one must always see the humor in everything.The bad part is that no matter what, somewhere there is some person that feels that way. If I had a nickel for every jack leg that asked me if I was gonna make it a "hot rod" I could buy a really good steak dinner.But in the end my desire to leave it basically stock is why it was sold to me and not the others wanting to buy it and offering more money.The lady wanted it to not be cut up.

Henry did plenty correct no doubt.But I am not afraid to improve on anthing I can.IF I WANT TO! because it is mine
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Oohh, go ahead then. I guess it'll be ok this time. But please keep us informed of your progress.
 
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