Piston opinions

Will D

Will D

Well-known member
For a stock budget build 59a, what is a decent piston to use? Not so cheap they are garbage but not an arm and a leg just for a "brand name".

Anyone used sealed power with any luck?
 
I would go with Sealed Power" before Egge. The price is probably better, and I'll bet they have supplied thousands more pistons than Egge, who probably has "Sealed Power" make theirs.
 
flatjack9 said:
I've used Sealed Power, but I'm not real crazy about the shape of their dome.
Click to expand...

Do they use the "ellipse" style dome - pointy in the middle? I've seen this dome on some Egge pistons, some 4-ring Jahn's, and some Ford.

If so, then these pistons will not work with any of the aftermarket aluminum heads (which use a consistent radius dome) - the "pointy middles" will hit the heads if the squish is anywhere close to what it should be. The squish should be .040 to .050 for optimal performance.

This is the reason that I always try to find a consistent radius dome type piston - if using any aftermarket heads.

Here are some pics of the double-ellipse style domes shapes versus the consistent radius dome shapes that are on Ross pistons, Edelbrock heads, etc..

Here are the pointy domes - the shape necessary for the heads to work:
3DSectionView-Ford-Egge-Dome.jpg

Here are the consistent radius somes - like Ross Pistons (again from the head dome perspective)
3DSectionView-RossEdelbrock-Dome.jpg

Here is the actual 2D sketch view that I use for 3 5/16 pointy pistons (when I machine the heads in a CNC mill)
Sketch-Ford-Egge-Dome.jpg

Here is the Ross sketch I use:
Sketch-RossEdelbrock-Dome.jpg
 
tubman said:
I would go with Sealed Power" before Egge. The price is probably better, and I'll bet they have supplied thousands more pistons than Egge, who probably has "Sealed Power" make theirs.
Click to expand...

Your statement about who makes Egges pistons is Wrong!
Egge casts and makes their own pistons as well as machines everything in house. How do I know you may ask I along with a large group of Hot Rodders visited their facility in California. We witnessed first had the pouring of aluminum into the molds to the complete machining operation. The pistons in stock on the shelfs in their warehouse was extensive.
As for Sealed Power making more pistons. When it comes to specialty pistons for all makes I think Egge is certainly one of the front runners in the amount of production they do.
Ronnieroadster
 
Ronnieroadster said:
Your statement about who makes Egges pistons is Wrong!
Egge casts and makes their own pistons as well as machines everything in house. How do I know you may ask I along with a large group of Hot Rodders visited their facility in California. We witnessed first had the pouring of aluminum into the molds to the complete machining operation. The pistons in stock on the shelfs in their warehouse was extensive.
As for Sealed Power making more pistons. When it comes to specialty pistons for all makes I think Egge is certainly one of the front runners in the amount of production they do.
Ronnieroadster
Click to expand...

I appreciate the information, but as I said : "probably". It is good to know that some of the specialty manufacturers still manufacture their own products, as it seems to become less and less common over time. However, it has no bearing on who makes the better piston or the relative costs.

I still have faith on the old line American manufacturers with a positive history and reputation. I would expect "Sealed Power" (Federal Mogul) to have access to better infrastructure and other resources than Egge.
 
Last edited:
I bought some Sealed Power pistons about 3 years ago. They were made in India. Looked pretty good to me. But that engine only has about 80 miles on it.
 
leon bee said:
I bought some Sealed Power pistons about 3 years ago. They were made in India. Looked pretty good to me. But that engine only has about 80 miles on it.
Click to expand...

I saw a "YouTube" video once where some guys with bare feet were pouring molten aluminum into holes in the ground.:eek: I hope it wasn't them.:rolleyes:

Probably not.:D
 
tubman said:
I appreciate the information, but as I said : "probably". It is good to know that some of the specialty manufacturers still manufacture their own products, as it seems to become less and less common over time. However, it has no bearing on who makes the better piston or the relative costs.

I still have faith on the old line American manufacturers with a positive history and reputation. I would expect "Sealed Power" (Federal Mogul) to have access to better infrastructure and other resources than Egge.
Click to expand...



Well Sealed Power certainly has other resources but not in the US! EGGE pistons made in the good old USA by American labor. :D
 
Bored&Stroked said:
Do they use the "ellipse" style dome - pointy in the middle? I've seen this dome on some Egge pistons, some 4-ring Jahn's, and some Ford.

If so, then these pistons will not work with any of the aftermarket aluminum heads (which use a consistent radius dome) - the "pointy middles" will hit the heads if the squish is anywhere close to what it should be. The squish should be .040 to .050 for optimal performance.

This is the reason that I always try to find a consistent radius dome type piston - if using any aftermarket heads.

Here are some pics of the double-ellipse style domes shapes versus the consistent radius dome shapes that are on Ross pistons, Edelbrock heads, etc..

Here are the pointy domes - the shape necessary for the heads to work:
View attachment 467081

Here are the consistent radius somes - like Ross Pistons (again from the head dome perspective)
View attachment 467082

Here is the actual 2D sketch view that I use for 3 5/16 pointy pistons (when I machine the heads in a CNC mill)
View attachment 467083

Here is the Ross sketch I use:
View attachment 467084
Click to expand...









The dome does not extend to the edge of the piston. There is about a 1/16" flat before the dome starts.
 
Thanks for all the input. I'm using stock c59a cast heads. The more I look around at different pistons and threads on here, I am starting to see alot of the pistons vary on compression height and dome height. Starting to crunch some numbers in that regard as well to attain a decent squish/quench if I want to minimize machining and/or prevent the pistons from hitting the heads.
 
Will D They only sell through their existing suppliers. They should be available at Lordco if not any ERI machine shop they all have access to United Machine.What part of BC are u in?



R
 
Ronnie said:
Will D They only sell through their existing suppliers. They should be available at Lordco if not any ERI machine shop they all have access to United Machine.What part of BC are u in?



R
Click to expand...

The ERI group, didn't know they existed, thank you. I'm in the interior, looks like closest one from their website is in Salmon Arm. Turns out I'm headed that way for work on Monday so that works out swell. I tried checking out Lordco today but being July 1st, the weekend guy was on shift.....you really have to talk to the right person to get what your after there!
 
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