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PISTON CHOICE

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JERSEYJOE View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JERSEYJOE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: PISTON CHOICE
    Posted: Apr/06/2019 at 7:38pm
Can anyone recommend  a specific Forged Piston for use in a 69 390 motor to end up with 10:75 - 11:1 with stock 50 cc 291C heads?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 69 ambassador 390 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/07/2019 at 12:31am
We can have them made to any spec you want. 
Steve Brown

Algonac, Mi.

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84 Grand Wagoneer

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BassBoat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/07/2019 at 6:51am
When you say specific, I assume you mean an off the shelf piston.  The ones I almost always recommend are the Wiseco for a 401 used in conjunction with a late 390/401 rod.  Unfortunately they come in two compression versions, 27cc dished would put you around 9.5 to one and flat tops with 8 cc reliefs would put you at 11.6 to one.  What you need is a piston with about 15cc dished to get a compression ratio of 10.75 to one.  That will require a custom piston with 15cc dish.  I got mine from BRE years ago, but Diamond or Wiseco or Ross are popular options.  RaceTec is reportedly the best price point for custom pistons, but even then you are going to be looking at at least $800 where Wiseco shelf pistons are $500 with rings.
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JERSEYJOE View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JERSEYJOE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/07/2019 at 7:10am
Thanks for the suggestion.  I guess I am out of touch with the cost of parts.  I thought I could just get an off the shelf forged version of a stock 69 390 piston,  I had no idea the custom ones were so costly.  If I go that route I would use Bulltear's piston.
 
Are the Wiseco pistons for the 69 ( short rod / deck) 390 about 10:5 to 1?
1985 J-20 PLOW TRUCK
1977 CJ 7 360 T-18 D 300
1970 AMX ex-SCCA car


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/07/2019 at 9:10am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JERSEYJOE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/07/2019 at 10:37am
rods are already set up for free floating pins, currently Venolia pistons
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BassBoat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/07/2019 at 4:34pm
Wiseco does NOT make pistons for the 390 short rod short deck 1969 combination.  What can work, if you can accept 9.5 or 11.5 to one compression is their 401 pistons.  The compression height is different for a 401 than a 390.  You can buy back some of the difference by using the long rod from a 401 and this is workable.  Honestly, your best bet is probable Wiseco flat tops, Molnar or K1 rods for a 401 and later model heads with 58-60 cc to get the compression ratio down.  The pistons Trader suggested have the wrong compression height and valve reliefs in the wrong place at the wrong angle as well as the wrong pin size.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/08/2019 at 8:30pm
BassBoat is absolutely correct.
AMC heads are 18 degree valve angle and the Chev are 21 degrees.
If you use the Comet 0.021" head gasket you solve the compression height = 0.046".
If you add 7 cc's to clean up the valve clearance you get 10.9:1 compression ratio.
Many use the Chev pins/rods/valves for strokers so I don't believe they are a problem.
If you have a standard bore and just need a hone, Wiesco has a 0.0035" wall clearance, Just a clean-up honing.
From a cost perspective, to get another life or two out of a standard bore 390 or 401, these pistons provide a cost effective option.

My opinion.  

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BassBoat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2019 at 8:36am
You are entitled to your opinion, Lyle.  But the piston in the link you posted has a piston height, from centerline of the pin to the top of the piston of 1.140 inches.  Replacing a 390 piston with a 1.553 "ish" height will put the piston about 0.460 inches down in the bore at TDC.  Chevy parts can be made to work, but not the ones in your link.
BB
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Trader Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Apr/09/2019 at 9:38am
Thanks, BB, you are correct, I got the wrong number.
The one I was calculating on was the PTS5104A, 1.425 compression height.
The PTS5074A can also be made to work but will need much more relief on the top to lower the compression ratio, 1.560" compression height.
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