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Tractor Pulling Discussion Forum

PISTON SKIRT LENGTH-WHY

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Clarence Bareni

01-17-2005 04:04:52




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Looking at these old tractor pistons, why was so much skirt length used.
I understand displacing shock load or side thrust up and down the bore, but is all this length necessary ?
Was there a standard formula, when the mfg's engineered these old monster's ?
By todays standards, is there a required amount that is acceptable and safe ?
I'm looking at piston weight, at the same time what would give the tractor more performance and not drasticially reduce longevitity ?

Thank's for any input !
Bud Barenie

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Mopower

01-18-2005 06:17:32




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 Re: PISTON SKIRT LENGTH-WHY in reply to Clarence Barenie, 01-17-2005 04:04:52  
It is a common falacy among some newer engine builders (of which I am one) that lighter pistons are for hot tractors and heavy pistons give you more low-end torque. NO!!! You have the right idea Bud. This may be true if let's say you were speaking of a flywheel (rotating mass), but not in the case of a piston (reciprocating mass). A piston has to be moved back and forth. The heavier the piston, the more the engine is working to reverse its direction. To use an example: Imagine strapping on boxing gloves and trying to hit a punching bag. You have to work harder to move your fists back and forth quickly if the gloves weigh 20 pounds as opposed to maybe 2 pounds. Not to mention it is hell on your joints. (The purpose of a piston is not to punch harder!) A lighter piston is better in any application and higher RPMs only multiply the horsepower lost by moving heavy pistons back and forth. As for skirt length, new materials and pistons are far batter than older ones. Long skirts were required to reduce piston slap on old engines that worked long hours. Often, skirts did dip down beyond the bottom of the bore. No harm done. Today's shorter pistons work pretty good in pullers. Sounds like you got this stuff pretty much down Bud, but I've had to explain this to quite a few fellas and I don't even do that much engine building. As for a formula. Yeah, talk to an expert. I'll e-mail you a few names.

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dctom

01-17-2005 15:21:47




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 Re: PISTON SKIRT LENGTH-WHY in reply to Clarence Barenie, 01-17-2005 04:04:52  
BUD, BETTER CHECK WITH YOUR MOLINE BUDDYS, THEY WILL KNOW DC



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clarence barenie

01-17-2005 16:09:25




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 Re: PISTON SKIRT LENGTH-WHY in reply to dctom, 01-17-2005 15:21:47  
MR G.
I don't understand the focus of your reply.
Please explain, I'm not very educated, infact I have a very low I.Q.
Just looking for answer's from those who have educated their selfs in the art of pulling

Thank you sir

Bud Barenie



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buickanddeere

01-17-2005 18:16:50




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 Re: PISTON SKIRT LENGTH-WHY in reply to clarence barenie, 01-17-2005 16:09:25  
The long skirt helped keep the piston straight in the bore and the rings square to the cylinder wall so they would seal.Even when the bore was getting egg shaped. Materials, machining, design have came a long way as more power has been required from smaller engines.



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Clarence Barenie

01-18-2005 04:31:31




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 Re: PISTON SKIRT LENGTH-WHY in reply to buickanddeere, 01-17-2005 18:16:50  
B AND D
IF A PISTON STARTS OUT AT SAY 6" OVERALL LENGTH AND YOU ADD AN INCH OF STROKE, PISTON NEEDS TO BE SHORTENED A 1/2" SO IT DOESN'T COME OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF BORE. Could that same piston be mfg'ed to only 4" overall length. Would it make that much difference. STARTING weight is about 1050 grams. Does piston weight make that much difference in these slow rollers
thank for the reply .



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