Pistons From Massena, NY

[Tom D.]

I assume the word "MASSENA" inside an old big block piston identifies it as coming from the former GM foundry there. I also assume there might have been some machined and sold for service? What percentage of the supply to Tonawanda (in 1965-1967) came from this foundry? Did all their pistons have that word cast inside?

Thanks in advance.
TD

[Joe L.]

Re: Pistons From Massena, NY

I assume the word "MASSENA" inside an old big block piston identifies it as coming from the former GM foundry there. I also assume there might have been some machined and sold for service? What percentage of the supply to Tonawanda (in 1965-1967) came from this foundry? Did all their pistons have that word cast inside?

Thanks in advance.
TD

Tom------

I am certain that the word "Massena" cast inside the pistons denoted that the piston CASTING was manufactured at the old GM Massena foundry. The pistons, both PRODUCTION and SERVICE, would have been machined at the Tonawanda engine plant. Most, if not all, GM piston castings were manufactured internally by GM. At the time, GM had only 2 aluminum foundries----Bedford, Indiana and Massena, New York. Bedford is still in operation and, as far as I know, still produces pistons. As far as what percentage of the castings was produced at Massena, I have no idea.

By the way, GM forged pistons were forged by outside suppliers, notably TRW but possibly including others. GM never had any internal aluminum forging capabilities that I know of. The forged "slugs" were machined by the GM engine plants.