Slight piston problem....pics
Some of the top rings are burnt around these edges too. Ring surface is blackened. Gap when I built it was circa 23 thou I think.
Number two piston has a bit of the 2nd ring broken.
These pics are of piston No1. EVERY piston has this damage. The pistons do have light scuffing, nothing major IMO. Although the top ring land area isnt too pretty on some of them, but it is not damaged.
When viewing the engine from the front, the cracks are on piston are on the right side of the engine ( ie not the thrust side ? )








Any ideas as to the cause ? We could take my recent lack of meth into consideration, but I think this has been going on for much longer than this. This damage didnt happen overnight ?
Any vendors reading.... Anyone have any stock bore pistons in stock, for a 6.125" rod, 4.0" stroke, and as close to a 25cc dish as possible ?
AARRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHH

Its leaving me in a rather sticky situation for the event I wanted to race at on the 29th :S
Looks like I might throw my stock crank back in, with my old Mahle pistons for a 346 until I can sort something out here, unless I can source some pistons in time.
So they made me this set to suit the stroker ( original ones were 0.944" pin, stock bore )
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I'll let the email run today, if I dont get a response, i'll call him tomorrow. Just wanted opnions here too...
In case there is anything I might have done to cause this. Although I cant think what. Unless I can get a set of pistons by say the 20th...it becomes irrelevant how long I have to wait after that.
I can do a forged 346 from old parts I have sitting about though. I'll probably just need to slow down the blower a little ( or maybe not ? )
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I'll have the same CR with the 346 combo. But yes, it would be interesting....
Do you think 25psi is do-able on pump+meth with my CR? Probably is...but its getting a little silly perhaps ?
Wonder what boost it would actually hit ?
Other option...
I have a Tig welder...shall I try and weld them back together



might be worth noting, my welding is crap lol
Just put a lot of meth in and keep your fingers crossed at 25psi. I dont think it will pick up that much boost though.
after i sent kurt a bunch of broken pistons he got these made to suit my abuse (new piston on left)
that gusset could be helpful to you
Last edited by MIGHTYMOUSE; Nov 30, 2009 at 07:58 PM.
This is the first piston.....or rather 8 that have simply broken.
The Mahles I have from my old 346 look stronger. If I use them I end up with a forged 346, with same CR as before.


Im reluctant to go with any oversize pistons, as I dont trust anyone here to bore the block, more so considering its a totally stock LS6 block.
Might be time to invest in a new block soon....
Maybe a LS2 block this time ?
Although getting my CR down is awkward. Heads are 66/67cc
after i sent kurt a bunch of broken pistons he got these made to suit my abuse (new piston on left)
that gusset could be helpful to you
One way or another, Im going to need new pistons. Or if I do decide to get another block, block and pistons.
That will only happen if I cant get pistons to suit a stock bore size.
Im not spending money on a complete new short motor though. Even buying and shipping a block from the US will cost enough..
Ross have received my email ( read request has been acknowledged ) but I have yet to get an actual reply from them.
Or the ring gap being too tight and butting together when they get hot.
I would guess detonation
Ring gap was as reccomended by ring manufacturer, for the application, maybe even a thou or 2 more. Definately not on the tight side though.
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