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Expert
Posts: 1737
   
Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Hi All,
I'm looking for a source for 1958 Chrysler 354 poly pistons, that are 0.040" oversized. Egge has no full sets of any of the 57 or 58 piston sizes left in stock, and doesn't seem to be planning to make any more. I have located a set of the lower compression 57 ones, but I'd really like to rebuild my engine to the higher output '58 specs. Any ideas?  |
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Expert
Posts: 3033
Location: N.W. Fla. | If all else fails, you can order custom forged pistons for the 354 hemi in what ever C/R you want & have them cut the valve reliefs for the Poly instead of the Hemi
Edited by Mopar1 2014-11-29 9:03 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3033
Location: N.W. Fla. | there's an outfit in Jacksonville that advertises Hemi & Poly rebuild kits on EBay. Have you checked with them? |
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Expert
Posts: 1737
Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Hi Mopar1,
I've checked with them. He thinks that they have one set of '57 pistons in stock...
Where would one order custom forged pistons from? I imagine that they would be a bit pricey... |
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Expert
Posts: 3033
Location: N.W. Fla. | miquelonbrad - 2014-11-29 9:59 PM
Where would one order custom forged pistons from? I imagine that they would be a bit pricey... They ain't cheap! There's 2 companies, Ross & Venolia(?). PM "Wayfarer" here on the Board, he's Quality Engineered Components, should be able to steer you right |
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Expert
Posts: 3033
Location: N.W. Fla. | Considering the crappy gas we have today the '57 C/R of 9.25 might be a better choice than the '58 10:1. Some Hemis when measured for actual C/R have been found to be close to a full point below advertised. for example a 241 that was supposed to be 7:1 was measured @ 6.19. So off the shelf 10s might be close to 9, & 9.25 might be close to 8.25 in actuality if it applies to Polys also. An advantage of custom is you can/need to measure your chambers so when you order you get the actual C/R you want. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 888
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | George, Thanks for the nod! Any custom piston shop can make what is needed; we sell AutoTech brand and the current retail price is $750 with pins.
No, you will not find any early Mopar pistons on their website but they make 'specials' for us.
If you are adventurous, a Hemi piston can be modified for the Spitfire head........ |
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Expert
Posts: 3777
Location: NorCal | miquelonbrad - 2014-11-28 6:17 PM
Egge has no full sets of any of the 57 or 58 piston sizes left in stock, and doesn't seem to be planning to make any more.
Times must have changed, I remember Egge used to specialize in "one-off" sets.
Edited by 57chizler 2014-11-30 5:22 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1737
Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Update: After much phoning, emailing, and ads placed, I called Gary Automotive. He is a local old-timey auto parts dealer in Edmonton. No computers; he still uses parts books! I called to ask him if he knew a source for the pistons I was searching for. He told me to get the casting number from the inside of the old pistons, as he said that the catalog numbers aren't always right. So, I got the number, called him back, and he...had the pistons in stock!!!!! I picked them up, and they were even better, as they are the higher compression '58 ones! I bang my head for not calling him sooner...lesson learned! |
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Expert
Posts: 1906
Location: Ontario, Canada | I'm pleased to hear that you found them, Brad.
I, too, was surprised to read what Egge told you. They made several sets for me over the years for various engines in various oversizes. They made the set for me for the marine engine that I am currently rebuilding.
You will really enjoy driving the 58 version pistons in the 354. Lots of power, decent fuel economy and will run without pinging on the cheapest gas you can buy!! No additives, no fuss, just drive and get gas anywhere you need to! 10 to 15% ethanol! no problem. On the other hand, given the choice, I tend to buy the so called premium. Whatever the hell that means in all our various communities these days!
Greg |
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Expert
Posts: 1737
Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | Yeah, I really wanted to build the original engine up to '58 specs. I too use premium fuel; I'm used to HAVING to buy it for my Caddy...it pings like an SOB if I don't! |
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354 poly pistons
