<VV> Reusing LM pistons

[Ron]

The original pistons are in my '66 sedan and it's still the most reliable 
Corvair I have.  Actually, the engine has never been out.
RonH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bryan Blackwell" <bryan at skiblack.com>
To: <AeroNed at aol.com>
Cc: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 7:59 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> Reusing LM pistons


> If it's low mileage and has no signs of overheating or detonation, you 
> might get quite a bit of useful life out of the pistons.  I think that 
> most Corvair piston failures can really be traced to the abuse they 
> suffered as "cheap cars", often run on crappy gas, with very little 
> maintenance.  I personally wouldn't put stock pistons back in an engine 
> unless I was *very* certain of the use (and lack of abuse) they had 
> suffered at the hands of any previous owners.  If the pistons pass that 
> hurdle, and especially if you saw the engine run prior to tear down, then 
> maybe a measure and re-ring will work out ok.  With modern oil and decent 
> maintenance you could get quite a few miles out of it (say over 50k) 
> without any trouble.
>
> Having said all that, I wouldn't re-use stock pistons.  Same thing with 
> valve seats, if the head needs other work I'm getting the seats done. 
> Just too much time and money if they fail, and too many unknowns out 
> there.  Spread out over the course of several years, it's really not that 
> big an expense even if it's painful up front.
>
> --Bryan
>
> On Jul 25, 2011, at 10:41 PM, AeroNed at aol.com wrote:
>
>> I'd like to hear some opinions on reusing LM pistons. Consider that it's 
>> a low mileage engine and that I have honed the cylinders. What say you on 
>> how long before I top a piston?
>
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