Piston notch

JHarley

JHarley

Junior Member
My newly acquired 59 flathead has a notch in Cylinder #2.
It appears that it is suppose to be there and wasn't caused by any damage. Anyone have any ideas what it is? None of the other piston have it.
Thanks, Julie
 

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I'm most certainly not an engine guy.

But generally a mark on the piston means put it towards the front of the engine. That specific one is a little large.

If that's the only one it may indicate this piston is not part of the original set?
 
The notch in the piston is for the direction it should point to the front of the block for assembly. Original pistons and after market pistons will have a notch this large at times.
Ronnieroadster
 
Back in the day, it was not unusual to replace one piston if there was a problem. I did it myself a couple of times. We usually sourced the piston form the "piston pile" at the local junkyard. We didn't care what it looked like; if it was whole and it fit, we'd use it.
 
tubman said:
Back in the day, it was not unusual to replace one piston if there was a problem. I did it myself a couple of times. We usually sourced the piston form the "piston pile" at the local junkyard. We didn't care what it looked like; if it was whole and it fit, we'd use it.
Click to expand...

Sounds logical. I'm not gonna let it keep me awake at night anyway :) thanks fellas
 
The "Notch" was only used on pistons with ofset wrist pins, So I was told. Otherwise what differance would it make which way you installed the piston??
Gramps
 
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