VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Pistons

I would like to know peoples opinion on pistons. For some reason I can not do a poll, so I’m going to ask for your opinion. Which do you like better Aluminum or Cast Iron and why? :( :confused:

If Aluminum and your building a 29 thru 36 engine would you use Egge pistons or something else? If not Egge what would you use for a piston? :confused:

Why is Egge so bad?

I would stay with cast iron.

This subject has been extensively discussed in recent months but if we all keep our replys short it can do no harm.Things have been a little slow here anyway as far as "car talk" is concerned............Cast Iron pistons....Advantages.....Less chance of piston noise when cold,wear like iron, good for lower RPM driving.Aluminum pistons....advantages...Lighter weight reduces loads on connecting rod bearings, also enables engine to "wind -up" faster.Run cooler,less chance of pre-igniton, pins stay quiet longer, better for driving at higher speeds.....Iron was great for the average drivers of the 1930's ....brands??????have no experiance with Egges but would prefer a known brand.

Well Cast iron may be ok for the "newer" engines like the 29 to 36 but for the 28 stick with the original, Alumimum!

My vote is for cast iron. Also, as Chev Nut suggested, for aluminum pistons, stick with a name brand and stay away from Egge pistons. Their track record isn't that great. :( :( :(

I will also add my preference for cast iron pistons. Ever think why Chevrolet only used aluminum pistons for only '28 in that era? Was it only cost?

I guess that we will never know the answer to that.My guess would be that they squeezed more power out of the '28 and to reduce stress on the lower end they went to the lighter pistons (and also to get more power).In general GM engineers were in love with cast iron pistons in that era as almost all GM cars had them.All switched to aluminum by the mid thirtys except Chevrolet & Pontiac.Almost every other make was using aluminum by the late twentys.The thing about the 29-36 pistons is their excessively heavy weight.The '37 & up irons were much lighter.If you are doing little long distance driving (at higher speeds) cast iron is great.Also would be OK if you have a set of 3.50 gears.

Hey Guy's!

Thanks for the information Chev Nut! Now the only thing I need to find is a modern piston other then Egge! I'm planning on driving the Phaeton when it is done and that is why I have a set of 3.50:1 gears in the car. I really started building that chassis for my Cabriolet but got the Phaeton, which I had been looking for, forever since Dad got me started with '32.

You will see new old stock aluminum pistons advertised in the G&D etc. from time to time.They are usually in some oversize.Has your engine been bored out?

Hi Chevgene,

No I still have not pulled the engine apart. That is a winter job this year. I was Hopeing to make up my mine as to what I should use. I was looking on the internet today and think I know where I'm going to start looking for pistons. I would like to stay away from Egge. I'm planning on driving the car, a lot!

Good move!

Bruce,
Go to your local automotive machine shop with the pin to skirt dimension, pin size, skirt length, bore dimension, number of rings, etc. They will have a number of piston supplier catalogs. Look up the 3 5/16" pistons and you will find a nearly exact match. I don't remember exactly but seem to remember a 50's Studebaker was the best match 30 years ago.

Or you can buy a set of NORS pistons. The problem with NORS is that you will not know what oversize to buy until the block is being machined. I have about 10 sets of pistons both CI and Al in sizes from std. to +0.060. I don't know which set I will use until we begin to size the cylinders. We then size every cylinder to a piston and weight match the pistons as a set. You will find that weight matching the pistons to the lightest in the set will give a much better running engine. Try for + or - one to two grams. Also the rods overall and end for end. It will make a lot of difference.