Stroker Pistons from back in the day

[KiWinUS]

I did not want to hack thread this came from so started new. Here’s 2 pistons I have from complete sets have owned for many years. They were in original boxes but they fell apart. They are branded Edelbrock but were made by JE. One set is unfinished the finished set come polished. Came with locks but no pins.
Thanks Dale & Michael.

 

[KiWinUS]

Pics

 

[Bored&Stroked]

I've got examples of both of those . . . maybe I'll dig out some ForgedTrue forged pistons and show them as well. Maybe I'll do a side-by-side with a Ross piston - just so we can see similarities/differences.

Then we can also discuss the typical terminology shown on the crown of the center piston - '1/4" L.C.'. Take care Tony - always a pleasure seeing your posts!

 

[Chris Marshall]

I have a 3 3/8 X 4 1/8 stroker kit sold by C-T Automotive in southern California in 1965. I don't see any name or identifier on the pistons. Apparently made for C-T, but by whom?

I also have some used stroker pistons from further back in time. I'll try to dig up a couple and get photos of those. IIRC they are very heavy/bulky units.

 

[Chris Marshall]

Here's an early Jahns. 1/8LC. Very bulky/heavy piston.

 

[Chris Marshall]

Here's an Elgin. Common 3 3/8 X 3/16LC.

 

[Chris Marshall]

Another interesting Elgin. 3 7/16 X 3/16LC. I actually still have the block this was run in. In accordance with popular folklore, the block is a 99 factory relieved Merc block. Not much head gasket sealing surface visible with that 3 7/16 bore!

All these pistons are mounted on 21A rods for stroked merc cranks.

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Another interesting Elgin. 3 7/16 X 3/16LC. I actually still have the block this was run in. In accordance with popular folklore, the block is a 99 factory relieved Merc block. Not much head gasket sealing surface visible with that 3 7/16 bore!

All these pistons are mounted on 21A rods for stroked merc cranks.

Looks like a Jahn's casting to me . . . wonder if they Private Labeled them?

 

[KiWinUS]

I've got examples of both of those . . . maybe I'll dig out some ForgedTrue forged pistons and show them as well. Maybe I'll do a side-by-side with a Ross piston - just so we can see similarities/differences.

Then we can also discuss the typical terminology shown on the crown of the center piston - '1/4" L.C.'. Take care Tony - always a pleasure seeing your posts!

Thanks Dale I feel the same of your posts. Great ideas. I will join in as best I can in days ahead with some pics to help explain. A little handicapped at moment with cast & crutches.

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Thanks Dale I feel the same of your posts. Great ideas. I will join in as best I can in days ahead with some pics to help explain. A little handicapped at moment with cast & crutches.

Hey Tony - hate to hear about the cast and crutches, hopefully you're on the mend and no long-term issues. Be well and take care!

I will make a CAD drawing to explain the "offset grinding" - as many just can't grasp it without "seeing it". Also, will take some additional photos of the ForgedTrue pistons (and a Ross).

 

[KiWinUS]

I have a 3 3/8 X 4 1/8 stroker kit sold by C-T Automotive in southern California in 1965. I don't see any name or identifier on the pistons. Apparently made for C-T, but by whom?

I also have some used stroker pistons from further back in time. I'll try to dig up a couple and get photos of those. IIRC they are very heavy/bulky units.

Chris great stuff that Stroker kit is so awesome. I hAve an old land speed engine I have owned for way over 20 years that came from La. it has a 4 1/4 stroke crank 3 3/8 bore an amazing port job with the same cast pistons pictured in your kit. I will post pics but look at pin boss inside piston. It looks generic for different strokes. Also has bottom of skirts scalloped for counterweight clearance. Another thing to look at. Look at the diameter of pin locks versus the Edelbrock piston pin locks.

 

[KiWinUS]

Hey Tony - hate to hear about the cast and crutches, hopefully you're on the mend and no long-term issues. Be well and take care!

I will make a CAD drawing to explain the "offset grinding" - as many just can't grasp it without "seeing it". Also, will take some additional photos of the ForgedTrue pistons (and a Ross).

I love it. Sounds great Dale. I also have Ross pistons & a Jack Roush Weisco set that I can share pics off. I too are an antique that loves floater bearings & offset ground merc stroker cranks. I have 10 for future builds along with NOS 21A rods. Probably only lack a few sets of pistons for them all. I guess the sooner I retire the better. Lol

 

[Ronnieroadster]

This post brings back good memory's In the good old days my first engine build was our daily driver a 1963 Studebaker Hawk. The 289 was tired so the pistons of choice for this Hipo rebuild so long ago was Jahns those cast slugs served us well. Many of the flatheads I built in the last century always ended up with good old Jahns pistons. Heck in my old parts stash there's still a complete set of NOS Edelbrock cast pistons and rings.
Ronnieroadster

 

[estout81]

I think I have a set of Jahns pistons for a 289 somewhere in my junk. I can't believe how high we used to rev those engines with those ole heavy pistons and little puny 2 BBL rods. Failures were rare.

 

[Tim Ayers]

Great thread. I have some Edelbrock pistons as well. Some are finished and some aren't (like the one pictured).

Raises the question: Why would someone purchase an unfinished piston?

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Great thread. I have some Edelbrock pistons as well. Some are finished and some aren't (like the one pictured).

Raises the question: Why would someone purchase an unfinished piston?

Probably because they were doing their own chamber/dome work in their heads.

Say for example you wanted to do some level of "pop up" - you needed something to work from. Or, some guys wanted flat tops . . . because they figured they'd make more HP. Or somebody at Edelbrock sold them in the "Midnight Store" - and somebody thought they were getting a DEAL! LOL

These are my best guesses! LOL

 

[Tim Ayers]

Probably because they were doing their own chamber/dome work in their heads.

Say for example you wanted to do some level of "pop up" - you needed something to work from. Or, some guys wanted flat tops . . . because they figured they'd make more HP. Or somebody at Edelbrock sold them in the "Midnight Store" - and somebody thought they were getting a DEAL! LOL

These are my best guesses! LOL

Haha. Maybe your right. The unfinished one I have is like the picture with that "casting ***" left in the middle of the dome. It just seems like such an odd shape to make something out of.

 

[deuce5wndw]

Here is JE pistons number 152 ,3 5/16 bore, 1/4 LC stroke. I have seen the 152 piston in different bore and strokes so I think Tony is right about the same casting having multiple applications. Had these for a long time thinking I might find number eight but hasn't happened!