jag1886

I will be rebuilding a 1969 350 this fall #5 heads. What is out there for pistons? I have been searching for hours and find almost nothing but a flat tops which will make too much compression for todays gas and pistons with a huge dish. I'm trying to shot for 9.5 compression.
I did find a forged TRW piston that gets the compression about right but they are $66 each.
This car is going to be a cruiser/highway car do drag racing and no nitrous.

cutlassefi

With a typical .020 deck the Speed Pro L2321F or Bill Travatos' CP piston will give you about 9.5:1. Probe has one as well.

joesw31

If you are just looking for it to be a street car, then, you may try egge machine. There pistons are cast and are manufactured in house. They have several compression ratios available.

jpaulwhite

Hey Jag...I wouldn't buy the pistons until the engine is apart. That way you can buy the pistons that will give you your desired compression ratio. Just set the $$$for the pistons aside, then once the engine is apart your builder should be able to measure the chamber size so you get the exact CR you want

jag1886

I wasn't going to buy them until the engine is torn down. I'm just trying to source them. I think I've pretty much decided on the Probe pistons, they seem to be about the only thing out there that are good and not totally over the top in price.

jpaulwhite

What's the part number for the Probes? I also have a 350 in my 71.

cutlassefi

http://www.probeindustries.com/Oldsm...s_s/102231.htm

Hope this helps. They're .013 taller than stock so deck your block accordingly.

tonycpe

Thanks for that info Mark .I was wondering why my machinst said he only took .010 off the deck.
Short block has been in his shop over 4 months, and I want it back.
I can't believe it is taking this long.
I hope my probe flat tops are also .013 taller.

Fakser

Check egge.com these guys have pretty good prices on pistons I haven't purchased any of their products but prices look good and they have some cool videos on their website that shows how they manufacture them on site.

cutlassefi

Biiiiiiig difference between Egge's and Probes'. I think Probe would take offense to that statement.

joesw31

From reading your post, it appears that you looking for stock replacment pistons, instead of a piston that will be full floaters, that may require for your rods to bushed, more than than likely use a small ring landing (rings are more expensive), and are noisy. Probe pistons are only available in .030 and nothing more. Look around and you may be able to find a good set of cast pistons that will work fine in your application.

I purchased a set of .060 over pistons from egge, they were flat tops, and they were great. I got free shipping, and great service!

I have also used the speed pro pistons with no problems, however, they have gotten expensive. At least, they are press fit and use stock rings.

cutlassefi

You could also go the cheaper/easy route and use the SBC stuff. Choices ar endless.

captjim

Another option most guys overlook; it is not expensive (less than $100) to get a piston dish milled. So, do the heads, deck, then measure and determine the cc you want out of the piston. Mill a "D" shaped dish to correspond with the quench pad on the head.

joesw31

Thats true, there are so many venues that someone can take, however, it still depends on the individuals budget and intended use. Example: building a resto, street, street and race, or strictly racing application. I thought of going with the chevy combo, but decided to keep it orginal since it is the oringinal w-31 motor.

1969w3155

Did you try www.supercarsunlimited?