BLOWN PISTON! What do i do now?

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To give you an idea...I had a quote to replace 1 piston and freshen up bearings and rings and re-assembly
$2000 from a reputable builder

 

uh oh
looks like im not doing anything for a while

 

ou: For whatever reason, perhaps the user ID 68riviera430 must have stuck in my head. But you have to admit it was a good idea :laugh:

 

That sucks Adrian! The Nailhead in my Invicta was rebuilt about 12ish years ago and was right about $2500-$3k. Everybody has given you great advice. I think at your current budget, I'd go ahead and inspect as much as I could, and only replace what's needed. While $600 make seem like a lot to get stuff done, there's always a ton of little costs that eat up a budget. I'm $200 in the red on the budget for my '62 and I'm not even all that close to being done with it.

I'm working on that PM by the way. Should be able to get it sent later tonight.

 

As a big block owner, I'll taunt the small block folks like that, but I won't dare to mess with the nailhead crowd in such a way!!!

Devon

 

Yeah 5-600 is pretty low. I was in about $800 in mine just getting my heads gone through, new timing set, water pump, altertnator, radiator professionally rodded out, gaskets. I did everything but the machine work and rad. Paid nothing for the paint either. and got most of my parts at a discount from a bud working at NAPA, and the rest from CARS.

 

when i rebuilt my 425 nailhead the machine work and parts were $2300.00
just to let you know nailheads are expensive to rebuild
my 2 cents worth

scott

 

Well I already have all the gaskets ill need except the head gaskets...too bad I can't just buy the one haha.
I also have someone who is an old family friend that owns a machine and speed shop, I stopped by just to talk a couple weeks ago and he had showed me a stasge 1 motor he built that was pretty nice. Ill see what kind of deal he'll give me for the honing.
Hopefully I can get a single piston and rings as well

 

Quite a few years back Adrian, one of my Cats holed a piston. After a compression check to determine which one was bad, I raised the engine, dropped the pan, pulled the holed piston out the bottom and stuck in a used piston, complete with old rings and the original rod bearing. Fortunately, I had the use of a hoist for the entire procedure, and free advice and supervision from a qualified full time mechanic friend that allowed me to complete the repair successfully with minimum expense. Not necessarily the proper procedure to correct a problem, but with a limited budget, you can take the right steps to accomplish what may seem impossible ! :TU:

 

Thanks for the support. It seems like just yesterday it was my first time pulling an intake manifold.
Im confident in myself that I can do it, but will still stay cautious.
Ill keep everyone posted

 

Also. I figure I may as well replace the cam while im in there, thinking of bumping it up, nothing too crazy, but just something that would sound nice.

 

The machine shop isnt going to be able to hone the cylinder on their machine if I have everything else on the engine will they?
Cause if not...looks like I may just have to be saving up for a while to get a proper rebuild, or pull a Northcutt and sanpaper it
or something like this
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ctrical&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a
If i can just use a honing tool like this, it seems like it may be in my best interest to remove and re-ring all the pistons so that I can make sure all is well and there wont be any new problems super soon

 

I have a 401 sitting that may have std bore pistons in it if you wanna try to pull off what rivman said. I live in SLT and may be going to Sac in the next few weeks if you wanna do a trade.

Wes

 

This is why it PAYS to learn how to do things yourself,,, if another man can do an engine , then you can do the engine,,,if you have to buy some tools to do the job, then when you get thru , you still have to the tools to use again the next time,,, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY ARE POWER....to have the ability to build a car without the high cost is a blessing...:Smarty: :Smarty: all you have to do to become an overcomer, is to act.... You dont have to go to the extreme,,, each problem is a learning opportunity.... for instance when you change oil and filter for the 1st time, then from then on you have the knowledge and ability and the confidence to do the job....and are not intimidated by it... a man is only limited by his own mind....

 

:gp: Well said, doc.

 

Just pulled the head and the piston came right out. The cylinder looks really good inside, not a mark from it breaking at all. I felt for the ridge on top and there really isn't one, maybe feels like a hair larger than the rest of the cylinder, and it only goes down maybe 1/8th of an inch
What to do now?

 

Measure bore diameter and go piston hunting.

Devon

 

alright, ill check it out. Im pretty sure its standard.
Whats wierd is that it was notched, I didnt think stock was notched.