<VV> Cylinder assemblies vs Pistons/rings + rebore/How Long Do They Last

[HallGrenn at aol.com]

Dale brings up an old question on engine life.  How long do they last  
especially considering the '60s gearing and the fact that, when they were still  
"new", our Corvairs were keeping up with bigger, higher torque engines.   
The original cast pistons with (I believe cast iron rings) lasted a long time 
if  the engines were kept tuned and the carbs were clean and synced.  My 
one  and only new '68 110 4spd blew a head gasket at about 127,000 miles, but 
kept  going after repairs and our '68 110 PG went between 190,000-200,000 
miles  with one head change (we were the second owners).  Neither had oil 
burning  problems (blue smoke on de-acceleration or startup--though they burned 
more oil  than when they were younger of course).  So if a relatively well 
kept  engine with cast pistons and cast iron rings can go 150K+ shouldn't 
forged  pistons with chrome or moly rings go even longer than that?
 
Bob Hall
(With one completely rebuilt 110 engine with cast pistons and cast iron  
rings in the basement waiting for time to install)
 
In a message dated 2/12/2011 9:53:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
dkdewald at pasty.net writes:
 
If properly set up and cared for, moly rings should last 100k+ miles.   How 
much do you plan to drive the car?

Remember  that even the lowest price standard cast pistons from Clark's (or 
any other  vender) will have way better metallurgy, casting technology, and 
finish  machining than the original GM pistons or anything else commonly 
available  back in the 1960's. Based on your description of intended use, I 
would think  that the standard cast would be perfectly adequate.

As a matter of  comparison, I am having Ken Hand install Clark's High Tech 
pistons in the  rebuild of the 110 engine for our '65 Greenbrier.  The 
factors for  considering this upgrade from the standard cast are; 1) its an 
FC  engine--higher load & hotter running, 2) I plan to put 5000+ miles/year 
 
on the car, hopefully for 20+ more years, 3) I plan to do a fair amount of  
autocross/rally competition with this vehicle.

Dale  Dewald
Hancock, MI