piston question

[87-TURBO-T]

I have a low mile short block and had a question. when you put you fingers on the top of the pistons you can move them slightly side to side in the bore. is this normal? thanks

 

[jhanson1750]

There should be a "little" movement due to piston to wall clearance. It should move some but how much depends on what type of pistons, cast (hope not), hypers (better), or forged (best). But you would need to know what the piston to wall clearance was set at. More info would help. Jon

 

[87-TURBO-T]

There should be a "little" movement due to piston to wall clearance. It should move some but how much depends on what type of pistons, cast (hope not), hypers (better), or forged (best). But you would need to know what the piston to wall clearance was set at. More info would help. Jon

Its all stock.

 

[Squid4life]

Typical piston to wall is. 003ish. So, if you have a SBC std piston .030 over, it usually measures 4.028, with a bore of 4.031

 

[jhanson1750]

Factory Engine Specification
The factory spec shows a couple thou of clearance. If you can check the movement at the piston crown (top) side to side maybe (this is not a very practical way to measure and not very accurate either) you could compare your numbers to the stock spec. Good Luck, Jon Hanson

 

[DSEROVY]

Totally normal.
You will be able to move the top of the piston. Pistons are not the same size from top to bottom to allow for themal expansion.
The only way to measure piston to cylnder clearance is to pull them out and break out the mic and bore gauge.

 

[bison]

There should be a "little" movement due to piston to wall clearance. It should move some but how much depends on what type of pistons, cast (hope not), hypers (better), or forged (best). But you would need to know what the piston to wall clearance was set at. More info would help. Jon

Stock pistons are eutectic cast and they're better than any hypereutectic piston out there. Hyper pistons are crap for a high output blown engine.