Author Topic: growing cast iron pistons (Read 1057 times)

Tom Perry · « **on:** May 23, 2008, 01:11:06 PM »

I remembered reading this article from Pop Mechanics awhile back and wanted to share it with you. Problem was I couldn't find it when the subject came up about growing pistons on the older engines. I've been trying to clean up the work area and found it buried under a bunch of odds and ends.

Alan Hahn · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2008, 02:30:28 PM »

Darn,
I was hoping to find out what type of fertilizers to use and whether the Piston plant was frost-resistant! Is the piston a fruit or a vegetable!

Of course I don't think Fox uses that type of cast iron. I think this because I got a stock Fox piston for a Fox 15 (to replace one that caved in when I tried to dieselize the engine). After I lapped it in a lap, I then heat-treated it to harden it (following instructions from someone who had done this before). Then it had to be lapped down a bit more to fit. So in that case, I think the piston did grow a bit. But I am not sure if it would grow anymore if I tried to heat it again.

gary tultz · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2008, 09:50:00 PM »

As I have a serious McCoy addiction, I have had good luck growing pistons on the worn engines I get at swaps.Put piston on a cookie sheet,place in kitchen oven,turn oven to max(500or600deg.) when up to max, cook for one hour, turn oven off and cool to ambient temp.Reassemble with oil, Piston will be noticeably tighter in cyl. Break in as a new engine. Works most of the time .

Make sure your wife is out when you do this.

Author Topic: growing cast iron pistons (Read 1057 times)

Tom Perry

growing cast iron pistons

Alan Hahn

Re: growing cast iron pistons

gary tultz

Re: growing cast iron pistons