B with 50 pistons

RBolig · Dec 16, 2020

I recently bought back my dad's 43 B that he sold many moons ago, and the guy I bought it from said he added a Heisler head and cast 50 pistons.

I still need to pull the valve cove to confirm Heisler is in fact in play.

My question is: why use a 50 piston? What's the benefit?

I am assuming it is just bore size, so why not just use a larger B piston?

WTW · Dec 16, 2020

The 1943 B would of had 4.5 inch bore / pistons. The late B gas and 50 both had same larger 4 11/16" bore pistons. Only difference between the
late B and 50 pistons was the 50 used a narrower / thinner piston ring. The later piston not only larger in diameter it was taller both raising
compression. If you post a picture of the upper corner of cylinder head where valve cover meets head I can tell you if you have a Heisler head or
not with out removing valve cover. The two alteration should raise compression between 8 and 9 to 1. DW

Randy G · Dec 16, 2020

I believe the 50 pistons also used rod insert bearings and the late B did not

Loosehandle · Dec 16, 2020

There was a time when oversized pistons
were NA for 4.5" B. Not sure about
now,I have one that was sleeved.

RBolig · Dec 16, 2020

DW, thanks for the reply. Here are two images of the head.

WTW · Dec 16, 2020

This head in photo is not a Heisler. This head appears to be late model Stock B head. Sorry, DW

buickanddeere · Dec 16, 2020

Are those LP 50 pistons for more compression ?

RBolig · Dec 16, 2020

Thanks for getting back to me.

If I were to consider a stock-head swap, is there one PN that is a better starting point than another?

Mike M · Dec 17, 2020

The B cyl heads were all basically the same from 1942 ? and all the way to the end of production. I think there were 3 different casting numbers. The latest versions did away with the push rod tubes and had a different oil return passage that requires the matching thick cast washer on the center stud that feeds oil pressure up to the rocker arms.

DGK · Dec 17, 2020

I have any late model B or. 50 power block with pistons but block needs sleeved. Would sell cheap. PM me if interested. Thanks DOUG

WTW · Dec 17, 2020

Mike said it all, no real gain between the later heads just a few casting changes. DW

notyalc · Dec 20, 2020

Probably still got the original pistons in....

B with 50 pistons

RBolig

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