Cost of new pistons?

[63t-cab]

What should I expect to pay for new 60 over flat top pistons for the 289?

Joseph R. Zeiger

[candbstudebakers]

$250.00-$350.00

Bob Peterson / C & B Studebakers

Castro Valley, CA

[63t-cab]

Thanks Bob.now I just need to decide if it's gonna make much of a difference

Joseph R. Zeiger

[StudeRich]

quote:Originally posted by 63t-cab

Thanks Bob.now I just need to decide if it's gonna make much of a difference

You could ballpark it this way: a 8.5 Comp. 289 4V AFB makes a very conservative 225 HP, an R1 Makes 240 HP with 10.25 Comp. you will have about 9.0 if you run the Truck heads, so instead of 15 HP, you will gain maybe 7 to 10 HP then add maybe 10 for the overbore that might make 245.

All HP figured as Studebaker did, using the stock beaded steel thin head gaskets, you lose .5 Comp. with the thick ones for another HP drop.

Unless you port the heads lowering the Comp. even more, then you gain very little or nothing, unless you raise the Comp., add an R2 or an R2 Plus Cam, add R3 Valves and add a 600cfm Edelbrock 4 brl. then you have a real runner, of course if you were looking for better MPG this may not be for you!

Pretty rough guesses, but it gives you something to think about.

StudeRich

[Bud]

Even stock compression pistons for Stude engines are expensive compared to Ford or Chevy parts as they are low production parts and the cost of manufacturing goes up accordingly. There also pistons available with a smaller dish than the stock pistons which raises the compression to about 9.4 to 1. My Avanti has the flat pistons in it and it's not happy on any of the pump gas that I can get. When it gets up to operating temp, it wants to detonate. Either octane booster or 5 or 6 gallons of 100LL avgas fixes the problem. If I ever open up the engine for service, I'm installing the small dish pistons to lower the compression slightly. Bud

[JBOYLE]

quote:Originally posted by Bud
If I ever open up the engine for service, I'm installing the small dish pistons to lower the compression slightly. Bud

For what it's worth....
That's exactly whay I did, for the reasons you mention.
I'm told the slight loss of compression won't be noticed...but it will run on whatever passes for premium fuel nowdays.

I'll find out when we fire it up after it's reinstalled.

63 Avanti R1 2788
1914 Stutz Bearcat
(George Barris replica)

Washington State

[Kurt]

I am running the shallow dish pistons also. It runs fine on pump gas. I think they are a good comprimise

66 Commander R1 Clone
51 Commander 4dr

[StudeRich]

quote:Originally posted by Kurt

I am running the shallow dish pistons also. It runs fine on pump gas. I think they are a good compromise

That would be true if you are running the 570 Casting Number '63-'64 Car heads!

However since Joe is 63t-cab, I assume he has excess to the Truck heads, which precludes the need for the shallow Dish piston, to run on pump gas, it's ONE or the OTHER! [:0]

StudeRich

[Bud]

The 582 heads when used in place of the 570 or 555 heads would drop the compression about one point. The flat top pistons would yield a compression ratio of 9 to 1 when used with the 582 heads. Bud

[studeken]

the 582 heads are getting kinda hard to find. the roof of the combustion chamber is thin compared to any other head and many cracked- especially s/c ones. KP

Ken Pyle

[63t-cab]

This is what I'm wondering about with new pistons.I have a re-built 289(actually 299 with bigger pistons,dished as it was going to be a Golden Hawk set-up)this engine has never been used yet,but now want to install in my 63 Champ and wonder if I should by flat top pistons to make a late model 289 type to get the 8.25 or 8.50 to 1(I guess depending on what head gasket I use) or will the G.H 7.50 to 1 (now without a blower be close enough? I plan to pull a car trailer from time to time)either set -up will have a 4V carb.is there enough of a difference between the two?

Joseph R. Zeiger

[StudeRich]

Well OK, in that case with a brand new set of deep dish pistons .060 over already installed, I would definitely get some 570 Heads for it, slightly mill the head just a cleanup, use thin gaskets.

You'll have a noticeably more powerful engine for towing and whatever, than a 7.5 Comp. and at 8.6 or so, to one Comp. will run on Regular, tow, and can still be Supercharged later on, if need be as an R2 is around 9.0 You never did say what heads you have.

The right gearing in the Champ pickup will do more to fine tune it for towing than anything you could do, but it will have plenty of POWER!

StudeRich

[63t-cab]

StudeRich, I forgot to say I already have the 570 heads on this new engine.if I remember correctly the heads and block were checked for trueness and addressed as needed.

Joseph R. Zeiger