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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons ?

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Alberta Mike

05-22-2004 19:21:11




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Have a question here. Is it OK to replace one or two aluminum pistons (4-cylinder flathead) with replacement pistons that are cast iron? What potential problems (if any) could result?




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Gene Davis (Ga.)

05-23-2004 17:42:50




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 Re: Mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons ? in reply to Alberta Mike, 05-22-2004 19:21:11  
Mike, there will probably be a difference not only in the weight, but the expansion rate of the two different metals may need different piston to cylinder wall clearances. Aluminum will expand faster than cast. Might have to fit them looser to the bore.



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Brokenwrench

05-23-2004 06:00:58




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 Re: Mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons ? in reply to Alberta Mike, 05-22-2004 19:21:11  
Pistons of the same composition even from different manufacturers are almost identical in weight.Mixing dissimilar materials will cause an out of balance situation.You either need 4 cast iron pistins or 4 aluminum pistons to maintain balance integrity.



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John A

05-22-2004 19:48:05




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 Re: Mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons ? in reply to Alberta Mike, 05-22-2004 19:21:11  
Mike, I would think that if I had to use a mixed set of pistons, I would weigh them. Just cause that info may come in handy. Use the two cast piston in a pair, and the two aluminum in a pair to keep the engine as balanced as possible.
The reason I would weigh the pistons, In College, in my tractor class, when I was overhauling my ol M Farmall. I broke a piston while pressing in the connecting rod, The fellow accross the ally broke a sleve. he and I boughe a single piston and sleve.
It came from another supplier than my set came from....anyway I took my broken piston and the new one to the Chemistry Lab and weighed both they were within micro grams of each other. I was worried before I got them weighed. For I thought it might unbalance the engine. Later,
John A.

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Kevin (FL)

05-22-2004 19:39:36




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 Re: Mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons ? in reply to Alberta Mike, 05-22-2004 19:21:11  
Mike,

To maintain the engine's balance, the pistons must be the same weight and therefore I would not recommend mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons on the same crankshaft. Even though they might have the same compression (same identical shape), the difference in specific gravity will create an unbalanced engine that will (at a minimum) run rough and at worst, will self destruct in short order.

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stan

05-23-2004 08:03:32




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 Re: Re: Mixing aluminum and cast iron pistons ? in reply to Kevin (FL), 05-22-2004 19:39:36  
On MF 3 cyl Perkins diesel engines it is not recomended even to use connecting rods unless the are the same weight. I would not use different weight pistons.



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