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Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
#1656428
08/08/14 04:02 PM
08/08/14 04:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
Fab64
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
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Hi all, I am trying to revive an old 383 that came from a salvage yard, and has been sitting for several years in my project '66 Coronet. I've finally decided to sell this car, but in the meantime I need to be able to get it out of the garage (I've bought another Mopar), and move it from side-to-side in the driveway (I live in an HOA). The condition of the motor was unknown to me. According to the PO, it came out of a '65 Chrysler, and had around 65k miles on it. A few of the intake ports were quite rusty, so I removed the heads to look inside. The good news: no evidence of water inside. The bad news: I discovered a chunk missing from one of the pistons:  As you can see, the top part of the piston is missing, and a portion of the top ring is visible. The cylinder wall doesn't appear to be scratched. Since I'm not keeping this car, I don't want to spend the money to completely rebuild the motor. But I also don't want to do a hack job, either. I'd like to buy one piston & rings, pull this one out, being very careful to be clean with everything, and replace it. Does anyone see any problems with that plan? Could I get by with using the same rod bearings on this one connecting rod, or should those also be replaced? I'd appreciate any advice, thanks. Roger
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: JohnRR]
#1656430
08/08/14 04:17 PM
08/08/14 04:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,095
Valencia, España
NachoRT74
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,095
Valencia, España
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I think the answer by John is pretty obvious... better replace the piston... which being stock, could be cheap to replace ( $30-40 ??? ) and even not hard to find.
A refill and machine job will be way more I think
With a Charger born in Chrysler assembly plant in Valencia, Venezuela
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: NachoRT74]
#1656431
08/08/14 04:40 PM
08/08/14 04:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,161
CT
GTX MATT
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,161
CT
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I don't see anything wrong with it, as said if you change the rings you need to hone it though. So change all rings or change none.
A friend of mine bought a RoadRunner with a 383 missing the ringlands on #1 years ago. He swapped the pistons out and did rings and bearings. Well over 100K miles later (I'm not kidding) and that thing still moves good, doesn't smoke, burn oil, etc.
Now I need to pin those needles, got to feel that heat
Hear my motor screamin while I'm tearin up the street
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Fab64]
#1656432
08/08/14 05:03 PM
08/08/14 05:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
HemiRick
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
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Yea your plan is good reuse the rings on the new piston, this eliminates the need to hone and if the bearings look good reuse them.
Take care,
Rick
68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: HemiRick]
#1656433
08/08/14 05:22 PM
08/08/14 05:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
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Pistons either stock or replacement will be the same weight within factlry tolerances. No need to worry about that. (I assume you are not buying one lightweight custom forging!)
You can put new rings on whatever piston you end up with, just lightly run a ball hone through the cylinder. Actually, I have replaced rings with NO disturbing of the surface and they seated right up.
Compression height problems? Forget it. I know guys who circle track raced engines with three different compression ratio pistons, from three previous engines. The car ran good, no indication that everything wasn't kosher.
Heck, you could pull that piston, take off the rings, put a new set on except put the top ring in the second groove, put oil ring where it belongs, and run it that way! There are two-ring pistons running on racetracks. Three is not a magic number. Just like four was not a magic number back in the day.
You're not doing a restoration, you're trying to get a car to move under its own power long enough to be sold. Be honest, tell the buyer the truth, "the engine will need to be rebuilt." You don't need too go into specifics why. If you're telling him it needs to be rebuilt that covers whatever is wrong inside.
Good luck with that HOA! I bought my house specifically because it didn't have one.
R.
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: dogdays]
#1656434
08/08/14 05:37 PM
08/08/14 05:37 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,560
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick
Still wishing...
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Still wishing...
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,560
Downtown Roebuck Ont
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If you know someone with a blew up 383 or who just rebuilt one, a used piston would be more than adequate for that job. Rod and all if you can will make it an easy swap. A new set of cast iron rings and a quick hone to break the glaze and you're good.  If the bearing is still grey, I'd use it over. If there is a bunch of copper showing, a new bearing won't break the bank. Kevin
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: dogdays]
#1656435
08/08/14 05:44 PM
08/08/14 05:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,574
Lakeland FL
floridian
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,574
Lakeland FL
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Quote:
Good luck with that HOA! I bought my house specifically because it didn't have one.
R.
I am with you on that.. Looked a many homes ( here in Florida) with bankrupted HOA developments with NOTHING being done for the HOA fees, still a Lawyer is collecting the money..
One of my employees stopped paying his.. Almost lost his home.. Seems as if the Legal Firm was foreclosing in his home without telling him.. VERY SCARY......
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Twostick]
#1656436
08/08/14 08:03 PM
08/08/14 08:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
Fab64
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
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Thanks very much for all the replies, guys. Yes, my main concern is that I'll need to make sure of the correct size for a replacement piston. Aren't over-sized pistons usually stamped on the top with the size? If nothing else, I'll take the bad piston to a shop, and have them measure it. Quote:
Heck, you could pull that piston, take off the rings, put a new set on except put the top ring in the second groove, put oil ring where it belongs, and run it that way! There are two-ring pistons running on racetracks. Three is not a magic number. Just like four was not a magic number back in the day.
Unfortunately, after removing the pan, I can actually see daylight through the hole so re-using this piston is not an option.
Thanks again. I'm sure I'll have more questions before I'm finished!
Roger
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: dogdays]
#1656438
08/08/14 10:13 PM
08/08/14 10:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
Fab64
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
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Thank you, dogdays. I've removed the piston and I'm taking it to my local, independent parts house for them to measure. The owner is an old-hand guy who knows everything. I'll have him order me a new piston, and install it on the connecting rod. Also, I have no way of knowing if that 65k mile figure is accurate. For all I know, it could be 165k. From the looks of this piston, this engine may have more miles on it. Here are some more pictures. As you can see by the hole, this cylinder had no compression:  This doesn't look good at all:  The top ring is broken:  I'll keep you posted, thanks! Roger
Last edited by Fab64; 08/08/14 10:46 PM.
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Fab64]
#1656441
08/08/14 11:34 PM
08/08/14 11:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
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Throw it back in and pull that plug wire off ... doesn't get cheaper than that  ... What does the cylinder wall look like ? People complain that they can't give 383's away , you should be able to find something that runs for about what it's going to cost you to make that thing run on all 8 .
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: JohnRR]
#1656442
08/08/14 11:58 PM
08/08/14 11:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
Fab64
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
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Quote:
Throw it back in and pull that plug wire off ... doesn't get cheaper than that ...
If only!! 
Quote:
What does the cylinder wall look like ?
From what I can see and feel, it doesn't seem bad at all. I'm surprised, considering the condition of the top ring in the picture I posted earlier.
Quote:
People complain that they can't give 383's away , you should be able to find something that runs for about what it's going to cost you to make that thing run on all 8 .
Yes, where are all these people?!?!  Craigslist shows a 383 in Carlsbad for $200. But it has also been sitting for 10 years, which sounds pretty much like what I'm dealing with right now. I'm beginning to question the wisdom of trying to get this motor running. 
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Fab64]
#1656443
08/09/14 01:12 AM
08/09/14 01:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
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Quote:
I'm beginning to question the wisdom of trying to get this motor running.
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Fab64]
#1656444
08/09/14 01:26 AM
08/09/14 01:26 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,560
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick
Still wishing...
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Still wishing...
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,560
Downtown Roebuck Ont
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Quote:
Thank you, dogdays. I've removed the piston and I'm taking it to my local, independent parts house for them to measure. The owner is an old-hand guy who knows everything. I'll have him order me a new piston, and install it on the connecting rod.
Also, I have no way of knowing if that 65k mile figure is accurate. For all I know, it could be 165k. From the looks of this piston, this engine may have more miles on it. Here are some more pictures. As you can see by the hole, this cylinder had no compression:
This doesn't look good at all:
The top ring is broken:
I'll keep you posted, thanks!
Roger
What do the rest of them look like? That is some pretty serious abuse there that might show up in more than 1 hole.
Kevin
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Twostick]
#1656446
08/09/14 03:21 AM
08/09/14 03:21 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
Fab64
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,074
So Cal, USA
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Quote:
What do the rest of them look like? That is some pretty serious abuse there that might show up in more than 1 hole.
The others all have some carbon buildup on the tops (as this one does), but none of them show any signs of being cracked or broken. I suspect some of the oil rings may also be bad. When I had the motor tilted on its side on the engine stand, oil was leaking down past a few of the pistons (or maybe that's just where the oil control ring gaps were in those cylinders?).
In any case, I've decided to hold off doing anything until I investigate other possibilities (namely, looking for another motor).
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Re: Need to repair one broken piston - cheaply.
[Re: Fab64]
#1656447
08/10/14 01:43 AM
08/10/14 01:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,977
U.S.S.A.
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Quote:
Quote:
What do the rest of them look like? That is some pretty serious abuse there that might show up in more than 1 hole.
The others all have some carbon buildup on the tops (as this one does), but none of them show any signs of being cracked or broken. I suspect some of the oil rings may also be bad. When I had the motor tilted on its side on the engine stand, oil was leaking down past a few of the pistons (or maybe that's just where the oil control ring gaps were in those cylinders?).
In any case, I've decided to hold off doing anything until I investigate other possibilities (namely, looking for another motor).
Rings have gaps so if you put oil against them the oil will eventually find it's way out ... gravity ...
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