Wiesco pro tru piston:

I, too, have a set of old Wiescos I bought back in 2005 from Brian Earrick, of Earrick Racing. He was a pretty big hot-shot at the time, in our world. He did all my machine work (farmed most of it out), and was supposed to check "everything." I didn't know he was months away from going belly-up. His "blueprinted" oil pump that he set-up for me had to be redone, by me. Anyway, I assume he checked this issue w/ the top ring land but he did not.

I built the motor years ago but never fired it up, always feeling that it was just too "tight," but I didn't know why. Now I'm pretty sure I know. What I don't understand is that lots of other guys were using these pistons at that time. Why didn't anyone say anything back then?

Best,

Ranger
Aiken, SC

 

Just an update on my Wiesco piston fiasco... I sent them to a friend of mine who works for one of the NASCAR race teams as an engine builder. He inspected and measured the pistons, his conclusion was that due to the taper of the piston which was measured @ .040" from one inch above the skirt to the crown, that there is adequate ring back spacing. I would like to look at a new updated Pro Tru street piston to see if it has less taper. One of the checks that I did with the piston was check how much it rocked with and without the rings installed @ TDC I measured .014" with each. I am reassembling the engine with a clear conscious...

 

Thanks for the update but please keep my posted. I will wait until I hear the end of the story before I tear down my motor. I think Mike Phillips had the best/simplest idea--check the ring gap w/ the ring in the bore and then see if ring can be compressed on the piston so that the ends touch.

Can yours?

Best,

Ranger
Aiken, SC

 

It was also mentioned to use the bore as reference to establish the ring's ID, rather than off the OD of the piston.