Piston Skirt?

[BlownMGB-V8]

There must be other vendors that might have one as well. Phil Baker in Washington comes to mind. Also, Moss could possibly have something. Even TA Performance, they used to be Kenne-Bell. All the old vendors. Probably no Vintage OEM though, it seemed the High Compression Buick 215 supply dried up just about completely in the 80's so you really are looking for something in the corner or take-outs. Which could be a possibility. You're at a stock bore size aren't you? (Better check it.) Mine are long gone so no help there.

Seriously though, I wouldn't get all that hung up on CR. First off, the Buick 4bbl engine was 10-1/4:1 so I'm wondering where you got this 11:1 figure from. Then, the Buick factory CR specs tended to be flexible and optimistic, and the only engine in the series that I know of that really could have been 11:1 was the Olds Turbo motor. (Weird, right?) But it had the same chamber volume as the 4bbl Buick heads. Then what if one cylinder is lower compression? It'll still run just fine. Lose a smidge of power maybe but how long do you plan to run that engine?

Now, let's review CR a bit. All Buick heads have the same chamber volume? So they changed CR with the pistons right? All Olds used the same pistons so they changed CR with the heads? I think that's right. Harry used 2bbl Buick pistons to build a 2bbl Olds and got about 6.5 CR out of it. Still ran. Worked as a spare, but idle wasn't great and mileage sucked. With a turbo mounted on it it was tolerable. Even carbed it beat hell out of an 1800.

So a any Olds piston would also work. How about 3.5 Rover? Do a quick calc of chamber volume and you might find one of those is also close enough.

Jim

[MGBV8]

Mark LaGrou is going to check the back corners of the attic.  A local club friend is retired from GM & has sent a request to Detroit friends.

I would prefer a good used piston & reuse the rings/rod bearings as you mentioned & forget any honing.

As for CR, the 10.25:1 you quote is for the 185HP 4bbl in 1961 & 1962.  In 1963, they bumped the CR to 11:1 & rated it at 200HP.

http://www.carnut.com/specs/gen/buick60.html

[roverman]

Carl, give us a skirt diameter and where measured,  in relation to pin location.  I'll look as soon as I can.  Good Luck, Art.

[roverman]

I would be very cautious about using flat top Olds pistons, with Buick heads. Valves are in different location !

[mstemp]

Carl,

What I still can't believe is that the large piece made it up to the lifter valley! You would think it would have jamed itself in the bottom end. And how did it not wipe out the cam getting up there, or lock up a push rod???

Engine gods were smiling up on you!

[rficalora]

Carl, just an idea...  I dont know much about the BOPR series of motors.  If you can't find a piston, is there a BOPR you could pick up used that'll work with your headers, bell housing and accessories?  If so, maybe you could swap out the motor or short block at least.  Then simply resell it after the meet.  I've don that with expensive tools.  Sometimes even made money when reselling.

[Mickey Richaud]

Tony Gentile just posted an engine for sale - maybe something here?

http://www.racingjunk.com/Engines-Components/182848326/Buick-3.5-liter-aluminum-V8.html?quickSearch=1&categoryId1=&searchString=road+race&hideNotification=true&page=17&offset=169&from=search

[Scott Costanzo]

Carl,

Glad you decided to investigate further. It would have sucked to have that piston let go during the meet. You still have 3 weeks (from today!) to get something in place.

Scott

[BlownMGB-V8]

Hope you're looking at the motor Tony posted:
http://www.racingjunk.com/Engines-Components/182848326/Buick-3.5-liter-aluminum-V8.html?quickSearch=1&categoryId1=&searchString=road+race&hideNotification=true&page=17&offset=169&from=search

Sounds about like the motor you bought when you did your conversion originally. Oklahoma, $500.

Jim

[MGBV8]

The engine I bought 16+ years ago for $600 was already rebuilt.     I have options (besides R&R and rebuilding an engine in 3 weeks). Too short on time.  I drove my dad's original owner '63 B to the MG V8 Meet in Westlake, Ohio in 2000.  It may be coming to WV.  

Dale Spooner said he has seen a piece o' skirt in the lifter valley once before.  The cam looks good.  I was surprised.

[MGBV8]

I agree with caution on the Olds flat top piston, Art.  I do believe it would work with my "stock" cam.  My 11:1 piston only has a .010" dish & is .060" below the deck.  The head gasket was a compressed .050".  IF the Olds has the same compression height, I'd try it.

My piston measures  3.502  on the wrist pin centerline.  There is not much skirt left.

[BlownMGB-V8]

That engine above isn't rebuilt?

[MGBV8]

Not the way I read it.  Also, local pickup only in Oklahoma

" engine was dismantled for rebuild but my project list has changed..."

[DiDueColpi]

There's a few sets of used piston and rod sets on Ebay right now.

[Dan B]

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?11,59123

[MGBV8]

I have been watching Ebay & did leave James a message.  Heath Racing in Knoxville may have one, but said it will be a while before he can get around to tearing down the engines.

Meanwhile, Mark Lagrou put on his coal minors hat & dug around in the dark corners of Dan's past.  Said he found one just like mine.  We will see.

[MGBV8]

Meanwhile, I said I have options.  Here are my choices for transportation to the Meet in Lewisburg, WV.  Y'all are welcome to vote.  

1. Ol' Red.  My beater MGBV8 (provided I can patch her up in time).

2. My dad's Chelsea Grey 1963 MGB (March marked 54 years that car has been in the family).

3. 1994 Harley Wide Glide (just to agitate Ted Lathrop - funny he likes old school cars, yet hates Harley engines).

4. 2005 Honda 919 CB900F

5. 2000 Silverado Z71 pick 'em up truck.

[Scott Costanzo]

Since you asked, I like the order you have things in. ☺

[Dan B]

Doesn't your dad have a Miata too?  Im in favor of you fixing old red.

[MGBV8]

Yes, he has an '02 Miata SE.  That is his daily driver.  I didn't want to borrow for 5 days.  Besides, I would just make y'all look really bad on those WV backroads with his Miata.   😁

[MGBV8]

I haven't asked, but I bet Jim Watson would let me drive his "Taterbug" Brown MGBV8 to WV with a for sale sign.  

[Dan B]

That would be good.  Mark Mason, from WVBCC has expressed interest in it a few times.

[MGBV8]

If, at all possible, I will be driving the MG that fits me like those "ol blue jeans".  Mine.

Piston from Mark La Grou is out for delivery on the Brown truck..  Question is, will it be delivered in time for me to get to the machine shop to get the connecting rod pressed on so I can wrench this weekend?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_moV0aKgbiM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ex-tyke]

Question is, will it be delivered in time for me to get to the machine shop to get the connecting rod pressed on so I can wrench this weekend?

Inquiring minds need an update....you've got 2 weeks left.

[MGBV8]

It will be a close call.

I see Dan Masters hasn't signed up.  Maybe I will drive his car.  

I will be at my 20th V8 Meet even if I have ride my Harley!