stupid question but.........
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Joplin Missouri
stupid question but.........
alright this might be a stupid question but I need to know. I am installing my new pistons in my big block what side does the dome on top go? I mean does the raised top of the piston go toward the outside of the block or toward the center? or does it matter? I read somewhere that there should be a mark on the piston that should go toward the front of the block but I dont see a mark. Any help would be nice.
thanks
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
If I understand your question right, you are putting domed pistons in the block and you want to know if the dome goes to the top or the bottom side of the cylinder. The answer is to look at your combustion chamber on your cylinder head and relate to how the piston coming up in the cylinder is going to come up to that cylinder head. You do not want the dome hitting the shallow part of the combustion chamber do you? Look at the short block with dome pistons on this page here:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...r%3D%26sa%3DG:)
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...r%3D%26sa%3DG:)
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by gmg1977
alright this might be a stupid question but I need to know. I am installing my new pistons in my big block what side does the dome on top go? I mean does the raised top of the piston go toward the outside of the block or toward the center? or does it matter? I read somewhere that there should be a mark on the piston that should go toward the front of the block but I dont see a mark. Any help would be nice.
thanks
thanks
First off, there are no stupid questions here so don't feel bad. We're all here for the same reason, and that's to either get help for something we don't understand or to help someone with something you're familiar with.
As for the pistons, they are designed with your valves in mind. To play with things like compresion and such, they alter the head of the piston. The lowered or depressed part of the piston head should be oriented to be a clearance for the valve when it pushes into the bore to let air in or exhaust out.
It's hard to explain without a visual so I hope you catch what I'm saying.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Joplin Missouri
thanks for the replies. I thought the domes were engineered for the valves but I just wanted to make sure. Its my first engine and I am just being overly cautious. I really don't want to see two grand go up in smoke like Kyle Bush yesterday.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by gmg1977
thanks for the replies. I thought the domes were engineered for the valves but I just wanted to make sure. Its my first engine and I am just being overly cautious. I really don't want to see two grand go up in smoke like Kyle Bush yesterday.
Don't worry, Kyle Bush spends WAAAAY more than 2K on his engines...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Joplin Missouri
No Im just trying to build a modest 600+ hp 10:1 comp 496 that I can stuff in my 74. Found it in a field in Indiana and figured what the hey I always wanted a big block. Im kind of glad Kyle Bush blew up I never really liked the guy seemed way to cocky. But he has alot of talent and can't wait to see if he can bounce back this week in KC.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by gmg1977
No Im just trying to build a modest 600+ hp 10:1 comp 496 that I can stuff in my 74. Found it in a field in Indiana and figured what the hey I always wanted a big block. Im kind of glad Kyle Bush blew up I never really liked the guy seemed way to cocky. But he has alot of talent and can't wait to see if he can bounce back this week in KC.
What was found in the field...the car or the engine?
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by gmg1977
car. block I bought from one of my agents for $50. So I figured why not?
Sweet...I love field finds. I usually don't like all the frame rot that goes along with them though. How was the frame on this field find?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Joplin Missouri
not bad so far. I havent dug down too deep yet still finishing the body work. Filling in the bumper seams custom rear spoiler and l88 hood. It looks like a lot of surface rust underneth. Probably will remove the rust the POR 15 what is salvagable and replace the suspension parts. Good thing I took a larger loan out than what I paid for the car. The most upseting part was finding evidence of varments living in there and the pita of removing the smell. But so far I dont think it is too bad, it is my first vette and I might have my mind clouded by my new ride.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Durango_boy
Sweet...I love field finds. I usually don't like all the frame rot that goes along with them though. How was the frame on this field find?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
The COE came out of a nothern MO field (the utter middle of nowhere, to be exact). Fortunately, only the tiniest bit of rot has struck it.
Yeah, and until I see that beast I ain't gonna believe it. I"ve seen several of those old boys and they are always plagued with rust and rot. The fact that you found one in that condition is amazing. Do you think Bubba ever owned it too?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Piston install
If the pistons have a little notch or dimple on one side, that notch or dimple is installed facing the front of the engine. If not, another thing you can do, and is what I do on all engine builds is to take a small amount of clay, ball it up and place on top of the piston. Then install the head without the gasket and tighten it down. Not to torque specs, but snug. Then rotate the crank by hand a few rotations. Pull the head off and view the clay. If you can see the piston thru the clay, you are pretty darn close to the piston. This might pertain more to building a stroker motor with a high lift cam, but you can use the same principles. If the clay has not been totally smashed to paper thin thickness, then once you add the gasket and torque the head, you should have enough clearance.
I think though in this instance, if you are just trying to orient the valve reliefs with where the valves are, just flip the head over on your bench and orient the piston to the valve.
Just my $0.02.
I think though in this instance, if you are just trying to orient the valve reliefs with where the valves are, just flip the head over on your bench and orient the piston to the valve.
Just my $0.02.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 540 RAT
Domes go toward the outside of the engine. Set it up that way and then you can try the clay idea to see how the domes work with the combustion chamber as well as piston to valve clearance.
Yeah, I don't think the heads would bolt down correctly if they were installed wrong. At least changing them would only be as tough as slipping the rods off the journals and rotating the piston head, and then re-seating the rods.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by gmg1977
thanks those are some great ideas. Since I am running a fairly aggressive cam the clay idea could save me from some potential problems.
Hey, you're in Joplin. I'll be buying a transmission from there in a few days. I live in Columbia. Isn't it about a 4 hour drive from me to you?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by gmg1977
yeah about 3 to 4 hrs it depends which way you go. I think it is faster to go down past the lake of the ozarks to Lebanon, then I-44 to Jo Mo.
Yeah I think that's how I did it last time. Have you ever heard of 'John Meyer Truck and Salvage?'