H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

And the hits just keep on coming! I knew when the heads came off that we may have an issue, just looked like an awful lot of piston to wall clearance and the bores looked worn. So after honing the worst one we ended up with .013 piston to wall, it's already .060 over so finding an off the shelf .070 over approved piston will be impossible, not to mention going .070 over and the problems that brings. So even though I haven't called anyone yet I'll have to assume this will be an expensive set of pistons... too expensive for a worn out block and looks like the cheap TRW's come in .060 over so that won't help. Do any of the manufacturers actually stock any approved pistons for these things?

[Tim H]

Oh man, I feel your pain. Fortunately you are have the greatest access to parts living in the USA. I bet someone on this forum will be able to either assist or direct you to a reasonable solution within days ! Thanks for keeping us posted, your build/saga is truly inspirational and extremely interesting for those of us who dream of Stock eliminator but can't dive in !

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Tim H

Oh man, I feel your pain. Fortunately you are have the greatest access to parts living in the USA. I bet someone on this forum will be able to either assist or direct you to a reasonable solution within days ! Thanks for keeping us posted, your build/saga is truly inspirational and extremely interesting for those of us who dream of Stock eliminator but can't dive in !

I'll be on the phone Monday morning for sure.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Nmbr1GMfan

Do any of the manufacturers actually stock any approved pistons for these things?

No. Not the good ones. 6-7 weeks out anyway.

What do you have now? How are you on the assembly weight?

Stock block, no fill, @ .070? Not liking the sound of this.
Might be better off doing a new block, or maybe 8 nice, thick sleeves.

[Glenn Briglio]

Stock block ? Filled ?

[Alan Nyhus]

Todd, you might check into the Line to Line coating system for your existing pistons. It works. -Al

https://www.line2linecoatings.com/

[Billy Nees]

Todd, put a block around what you have to get the car out and start on a new bullet! At some point in time, you're going to want a spare so just start with your spare.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Todd, put a block around what you have to get the car out and start on a new bullet! At some point in time, you're going to want a spare so just start with your spare.

Billy, That was exactly the plan this year, start racing and at the same time build a brand new everything short block, transfer the top end and rebuild what we have currently for a spare. Well, we just had to take a dirt road detour but I think we will get there eventually.

[HP HUNTER]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

Todd, you might check into the Line to Line coating system for your existing pistons. It works. -Al

https://www.line2linecoatings.com/

Alan, A block is inexpensive, I don't particularly like the current block casting as well. This is a perfect time to start with a virgin block and fix any and all machining problems that exist, now that is if the piston skirts are not collapsed. Think of it this way.......the hard part of the car build is is past you.

Now lets take a look at the valve guides and the valve job?

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by HP HUNTER

Alan, A block is inexpensive, I don't particularly like the current block casting as well. This is a perfect time to start with a virgin block and fix any and all machining problems that exist, now that is if the piston skirts are not collapsed. Think of it this way.......the hard part of the car build is is past you.

Now lets take a look at the valve guides and the valve job?

I agree 100%, the only problem is the possible 8 weeks for pistons, I'm not puting used pistons in a new block because I would like to run a really nice ring and I don't think these pistons will seal. If I can get this running with most of the current parts it will get us going to the point of starting a new one at a more reasonable pace. The heads look pretty good except for the spring fiasco that possibly started this whole mess.