knurled PIston

Step-down

Well-known member
hello ford banners
Who do we know that can knurled my 4 grove 09T domed STD Pistons for my 59....
I'm doing a general overhaul and not a rebuild .... Fun project keep my mind off all the other stuff in life....

Thanks :D
 
It is, but someone might still be doing it (although I have no idea why! :) ). Ol Ron talks about it, he might chime in.
 
any mechine shop has a knurling tool it goes on a lath no big deal. back in the day we knurled pistons on every eng rebuild
 
Call Swain Tech in Scottsville NY and ask them about shirt coating.
They have a teflon for wear and also have a high build for pistons that are a little small.
If your trying to keep the stock pistons that the way to go plus it lasts longer than knuckling.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
any mechine shop has a knurling tool it goes on a lath no big deal. back in the day we knurled pistons on every eng rebuild

The machine I used that knurls pistons is a special dedicated machine, all it does is piston knurling. Its action is reciprocal, (back and forth), rather than in complete circles.
The lathe mounted knurler that I'm used to would have a problem with a less than continuous surface, such as piston pin holes, or piston skirts that do not run all around the piston.
 
I´m curious if any machineshop will knurl them for less money then you find a new set...a cnc lathe that has the function C-axis will do what the old knurler did.
 
Just as a matter of information the machine I have for piston knurling is labeled as made by "Perfect Circle". It has not been used in years but has done thousands of pistons "back in the day". The chuck clamps the piston in a ring groove and arm power takes over to roll the piston skirt back and forth with the knurl tool pressed against the skirt.

Yes, the machine is for sale. GRIN.
 
The machine I used that knurls pistons is a special dedicated machine, all it does is piston knurling. Its action is reciprocal, (back and forth), rather than in complete circles.
The lathe mounted knurler that I'm used to would have a problem with a less than continuous surface, such as piston pin holes, or piston skirts that do not run all around the piston.

Yes sir...

Plus, I'd like to add that knurling pistons is part & parcel of the "poor man's" rebuild. I mean no disrespect but it won't last and was used only to get an engine "up" at the lowest possible cost. Typically back street used car lots and well, "po folk".
 
"Kube" is probably right, but with the mileage some of these cars accumulate, a knurling job would most likely outlast the owner.
 
But why do it? At todays labor rates it probably would cost as much or more as new pistons and it does nothing to help ring groove wear. Seems like a poor option unless you can do it cheaply and all your after is getting an engine running. To me rebuilds are to expensive to cut corners on parts.
 
It was a poor idea from the beginning and really doesn't last.I don't know any shop that does it.A band aid and a staple at best."LOL"

R
 
back in the day it was state of the art also shot peaning the con rods . in those days mechanic rebuilt engs. transmissions. carbs gen etc not part changers
 
To make a long story short, after replacing one piston from Egge Motors because of a broken ring groove I had a piston slap in that cylinder on my 51 ford 8ba. Took it to a machine shop that is part of a Napa store outside Philadelphia. They knurled it while I waited, charged me $35 and I installed it with no noise and no problems. That was 2,000 miles ago. With car going limited miles I'm told by some old school mechanics this could last a long time. The engines cylinders all miked close to factory specs with almost no ridge. I will get the exact store location and post it here.
 
Nurlize Pistion

Speed Equipment Corp
2535 Street Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020
215 638-0300

When searching for answers to my pistion slap in one cylinder I found other machine shops around that still believe knurling is an option in (CERTAIN SITUATIONS) such as mine.
 
Thanks for all the freed back. Long story short I have been given this motor from a very dear freind and it should be his build but due to health and age we were going to share this time talking and building .it a great honor for me to spent on the phone and his house and this inured piton skirt came up and I want to get some history ...

NO over seas piston in this motor here ...

Thanks all ..
 
Back
Top