Tom Telesco, working on GOOD pistons for the Nailhead!

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by SpecialWagon65, Nov 17, 2013.

  1. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    The Nailhead blower manifold was recently re-introduced/repod. Avail from Russ for $649:
    http://nailheadbuick.com/

    These pistons would be ideal for a blower motor IF they are available in a lower compression ratio.... Tom would have to answer that.
    You would need to run a little more piston-wall clearance and increase ring end gaps to handle the extra expansion from the additional heat.
     
  2. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Actually these pistons aren't a good choice for boosted apps,these will be made from the 4032 alloy,for a boosted app the 2618 alloy is more suited.

    Derek
     
  3. yacster

    yacster Lv the gun tk the Canolis

    Hey Tom - I'll see you at the holiday party with my Deposit in hand....Let's go fellas, get those check books out. A Lot of work has gone into getting us here. Now is the time to do our part. . .Pony up some dough!!:TU:
     
  4. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    I'm headed down to see him this weekend, cash in hand.
     
  5. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    I would have to make a phone call TY. I don't see why they can't be used in a boosted situation. It was mentioned that 4032 was being used in a boosted application that made 1250HP.


    Tom T.
     
  6. 300sbb_overkill

    300sbb_overkill WWG1WGA. MAGA

    Hey Tom,here is what AutoTec says about their 4032 pistons on the Competition Components website;

    http://www.buyracingparts.com/pistons/racetec---autotec-pistons/autotec-pistons/


    "AutoTec is a High Quality, Precision Manufactured piston option. That comes at a very respectable price. Our Design Specific Forging allows us to manufacture our parts with less machining time, thus allowing us to keep production cost down. Then pass that savings on to you, the customer. Made out of 4032 High Silicone Aluminum Alloy, it has great wear resistance, a low expansion rate, is very durable, and is very low in friction. These pistons accommodate multiple uses including. Your local auto shop, muscle car restorations, performance street rods, as well as many spec racing classes. They can also withstand mild nitrous kits and small turbo or super chargers. Just about everyone can benefit from the excellent value the AutoTec line carries. Keeping in mind these pistons were originally designed for about 600 Horsepower. In Small Block applications, we have customers that frequently fine tune engines that yield 850+ Horsepower with a bit of Super Charger boost. Bore, Ring Pack, and Compression Distance changes can be made to any shelf part at no extra charge. Meaning that if you do not see your application listed in the guide, we can make what you need without charging a custom price. Every part is made with same high quality machines and tools as our RaceTec line including diamond turned ring grooves, and skirts. Not to mention our parts are 100% made in the USA."

    So you can run them with a small amount of boost,they're not designed to be for an all out boosted app,I would say no more than 5 PSI,and no more than a 150 shot of NoS?(just an estimate,may be a little more or may be a little less)

    I hope this helps.

    Derek

    ---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 PM ----------

     
  7. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    For the boosted application, I was concerned about the dome thickness on a 8:1 piston. The 0.330" minimum dome height mentioned isn't far from the stock 10:1 pistons.... which are somewhere around 3.6 to 3.7"? Machining the dome down for a lower CR could make the dome weaker.
    I don't know how this particular alloy compares, so I'll leave that up to you guys!

    I once did teardown a 401 that had caved-in piston domes from the 16 year-old that was beating on it. (no, not me!) It was likely pinging like crazy. Point being.... thin, weak domes on the stock cast pistons can give way under extreme conditions.

    BTW, I am definitely in for 2 sets!:TU:
     
  8. slappy1eye

    slappy1eye Member

    I'm in! Just acquired a 425 with all the machine work already done that was under lien at the machine shop. I was looking for forged pistons and lo and behold "V8 Buick" forum! SCORE! Will call Tom tomorrow with the deposit for my set!!
     
  9. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Although AutoTec & RaceTec are along the same lines at the same company, these are RaceTec pistons NOT AutoTec. This is what I have been told. The skirts don't need any coatings because of the design. If the pin height/compression height is raised it will lower compression WITHOUT cutting the dome. I just have to ask that if in a boosted application if quench plays as large a roll in things as opposed to a normally aspirated application.
    Maybe I can get the guy I'm dealing with to come on board this thread to answer questions I may not be able to answer as I don't know exactly all the technical aspects. All I know is that I sent them molds of cylinders with heads attached. Old racing pistons & stock pistons & told them what I was looking at/for. After much conversations/consultations & shipping things back & forth numerous times over the last year plus, this is what we have come up with. I feel they are as universal/custom as you can get WITHOUT paying the big $$$$ for single set custom made pistons.
    I know that all the variables can't be covered in ALL applications, but feel they are as close as single set custom as you can get WITHOUT the big $$$ attached.


    Tom T.
     
  10. 401Rivi

    401Rivi New Member

    I would like to share my experience with AutoTec pistons. I had them build me a set of pistons for my .060 over 401 last October. My pistons with wrist pins fit and ready to install were $628.00 shipped to my front door. Originally I contacted Ross, Probe and Venolia. All were $800+. With the .060 overbore to 4.250, you can buy a $45.00 set of Sealed Power moly rings as it is standard 454 Chevy bore. They got them done in a week and a half faster than originally quoted. Fit and finish was excellent, weight was spot on. Their # is (714)-903-4362.

    There seems to be some confusion about different alloys and RaceTec vs. AutoTec. My brother in law works in a foundry serving the aerospace industry. While his experience with the automotive industry is nil, he has been working with various aluminum alloys since 1988. Since my goal was to eventually install a Paxton SN92 supercharger I was concerned about the RaceTec 2618 alloy vs. the AutoTec 4032 alloy in a forced induction application. According to AutoTec this is the difference between the two. 4032 alloy is an AutoTec piston 2618 is a RaceTec.

    4032 Alloy is 12% silicon .9% copper. This is the maximum silicon you can have before it is considered a hypereutectic alloy. The silicon makes the piston very wear resistant it also makes it more brittle.

    2618 Alloy is low .18% silicon 2.3% copper alloy. It is a much more pure aluminum however it is very soft. While more prone to wear, it offers better heat conductivity and malleability.

    Since my forced induction goal was to run about 5lbs boost, I used AutoTec pistons. If I was going to run big boost, or race I would have sprung for a set of RaceTec pistons.
     
  11. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    To answer Ty's questions. I have talked with the tech guys & they say there is NO problem getting 8-1 ratio pistons. Also the quench/squish area is not AS important on a pressure feed application more than likely because you can fill the cylinder to or past 100% depending on boost pressures. I also must state that I've worked with Race Tec for the AUTO TEC pistons not the RACE TEC pistons. They are good to 600HP, up to 150HP shot of Nitrous or a small boost pressure of 5 P.S.I. Us NailHead guys would be very fortunate , blessed, talented, etc. to EVER see 600HP in a normally aspirated application.
    Any more questions I'm here & will try to answer to the best of my ability. Or, you can give me a call.


    Tom T.
     
  12. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

  13. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    He's got my deposit - tough time of year to come across unallocated cash, but if your serious lets get this deal done by the 31st!
     
  14. GSBuick65

    GSBuick65 Well-Known Member

     
  15. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    I have gone .100" over on a 425 in the past. The secret is you MUST sonic test the block 1st. to make sure there is enough "Meat" to do so. On even a stock rebuild I add epoxy to the bottom of the big freeze plugs to help stabilize the bottom of the block.


    Tom T.
     
  16. gsgtx

    gsgtx Silver Level contributor

     
  17. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    As a caution to those still running factory pistons:

    Tom is building a motor for me, and as we tore down my 80k original we found (among other things) this little timebomb....of course the motor ran great before teardown, but I think we can all guess what would happen the first time I ran it up past 5000 RPM.....

    With that in mind these pistons look like kind of a bargain, no?
     

    Attached Files:

  18. 64 wildcat conv

    64 wildcat conv Silver Level contributor

    Did that occur during disassembly (pressing out the pin)?
     
  19. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    Nope - came out of the hole that way......
     
  20. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Also Rhett you forgot to mention the in pieces cam bearing & the snap ring at the rear of the cam in the block was installed backwards. This is all from the factory. This is a VIRGIN engine, never been opened up previously. As we progress I'm sure there will be other things that "Pop" up.


    Tom T.
     

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