I did some checking around for 427 pistons and found that Federal Mogul is pretty much the only source for these now, and the price reflects it. Around $385 for a set, including the pins, is the lowest I've found and that is through on-line ordering through Summitt Racing. Anyone found other sources and/or lower prices for these recently? (Does anyone know the cc's of stock 390HP heads on a '66)
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98.427 cc listed by Colvin 66 390 HP *NM*
https://MichiganNCRS.org
Michigan Chapter
Tom Dingman -
Re: 427 PISTON SOURCES & PRICES
Rob-----
Federal Mogul and Keith Black/Silvolite are going to be the 2 primary suppliers of "off-the-shelf" pistons for a 427 cid engine. No pistons are available from GM anymore for this particular application. Even if they were, the price would be sky-high; GM pistons were always very expensive. Other manufacturers, such as JE, Ross, etc usually do not have an "off-the shelf" piston for a 427 cid engine with the normally desired compression ratios. Custom made pistons are WAY too expensive for most folks.
An L-36 originally used permanent mold, conventional cast pistons. I recommnd the use of hypereutectic cast for all applications which originally used either conventional cast pistons or those originally fitted with forged pistons. I recommend the use of forged pistons only if the engine is going to be used for racing applications. The hypereutectic cast will provide strength almost equivalent to forged with all of the other benefits of cast pistons.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 427 PISTON SOURCES & PRICES
I don't think that price is bad. The price of a set of four Cosworth Vega pistons from JE in dozen set runs is almost as much. They are machined from a standard forging.
Once the off-the-shelf pistons are gone, the price will double for small lots of custom made pistons, and someone will have to fund the entire cost up front.
A friend of mine recently got a quote from a reputable Porsche specialist to overhaul the engine in his '70 911S - about ten thousand dollars. Of course, that includes all labor, but...
DukeComment
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Re: 427 PISTON SOURCES & PRICES
you guys won't believe what a reputable machine shop i've used for years is billing to rebuild a 31 chev 194 ci six banger.bout 4 times the fee to do a small block. talk about a fossile--the 194 had an oil pump but it simply elevates the oil to the rockers then gravity delivers the lubricant over the moving pieces back to the oil pan. oil pressure on a 194, when temp up to `180 or so , is five to seven lbs( i typed the psi numerals to ensure you guys would pick up on the low (for blue flame, sb and bb chevy engines ) oil pressure figures.shoulda installed a sb in the old girl. mikeComment
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Re: 427 Hypereutectic vs Forged
Joe said "I recommend the use of forged pistons only if the engine is going to be used for racing applications. The hypereutectic cast will provide strength almost equivalent to forged with all of the other benefits of cast pistons."
Joe/Duke - Could you please clarify why above recommendation - is it just price or function ?Comment
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Re: 427 Hypereutectic vs Forged
Hypereutectic cast pistons have nearly the same strength as forged pistons of yore, but they expand less so they can be fit at tighter clearance, which reduces audible piston noise. For example the modern LS6 has hyperceutectic cast pistons.
I prefer the OE type forged pistons in vintage engines that had them as OE because they help maintain the visceral character of those engines.
Forged pistons are typically available in two SAE alloys - 4032, which has a high silicon content and 2618, which has no silicon. The former expands less, so can be fit tighter than 2618. The 2618 alloy is stonger, but requires greater installation clearance because they expand more. I would only recommend 2618 for a racing engine or a boosted street engine.
DukeComment
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