Piston options for Healey

[steveg]

Bob Speidel tells me JE pistons are no longer made for the Healey. Am interested in which other companies make performance pistons for the Healey.

 

[GregW]

You could call them directly. They're just over in Cypress.

 

[Duane_Rhynard]

Bob Speidel tells me JE pistons are no longer made for the Healey. Am interested in which other companies make performance pistons for the Healey.

Steve,

According to their website they still do!

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Note these are 'custom' applications; I was looking for off-the-shelf (sorry, Steve, I should have been more specific). Here's their 'Custom Piston Order Form' which you presumably need to fill out to get a set of Healey pistons built:

https://www.jepistons.com/PDFs/OrderInfo/custompistons-orderform.pdf

Others I talked to, including Venolia, said they would need the same info; you would think they'd have that info in a book or DB somewhere, but they either don't or didn't want to bother to look it up. The cost for custom pistons approached the cost for the forged pistons that DWR sells, so I went that route. If there's other off-the-shelf options I'd be interested in hearing specifics; the usual suspects sell a brand whose name shouldn't be mentioned in polite company.

 

[steveg]

The order form is intimidating to say the least.

 

[Randy Forbes]

The order form is intimidating to say the least.

Far easier, and shifts the burden of accuracy to the manufacturer, to send them an existing piston, and state the finished bore (or oversize) required.

That's the method used when getting BMW pistons made from CP:

After I get done with them:

Three (3) distinctly different polymer coatings:

 

[dougie]

Love your work Randy! :eagerness:

 

[steveg]

Far easier, and shifts the burden of accuracy to the manufacturer, to send them an existing piston, and state the finished bore (or oversize) required.

That's the method used when getting BMW pistons made from CP:
ymer coatings:

Just so I'm perfectly clear, Randy - you're saying to send a stock Healey piston and say make me (for instance) .060" overbore?

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Just so I'm perfectly clear, Randy - you're saying to send a stock Healey piston and say make me (for instance) .060" overbore?

Steve, If you buy from one of the 'custom' manufacturers, please let us know the time frame and cost if you don't mind.

Was really surprised when I received the DWR pistons--the top ring was only about 1/32" thick, and the second ring wasn't much thicker (oil control ring looked 'typical'). The DWR guys say they last just fine.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Just so I'm perfectly clear, Randy - you're saying to send a stock Healey piston and say make me (for instance) .060" overbore?

I purchased my .060 pistons from BCS. I believe they had them in stock when I ordered them about 3 years ago.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I purchased my .060 pistons from BCS. I believe they had them in stock when I ordered them about 3 years ago.

What brand are they? Moss, BP Northwest and others sell 'off-the-shelf' pistons I believe are manufactured by County; given my experience with their water pumps I refused to buy their pistons.

 

[Randy Forbes]

Love your work Randy! :eagerness:

Thanks Dougie!

Just so I'm perfectly clear, Randy - you're saying to send a stock Healey piston and say make me (for instance) .060" overbore?

Yes, essentially; you might ask their recommendations for a shorter (lighter) skirt, low tension oil rings and thinner compression rings (far less flutter and land wear).

CP doesn't include rings with their (BMW) pistons, but I've been getting them directly from Total Seal for over thirty (>30) years now.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

What brand are they? Moss, BP Northwest and others sell 'off-the-shelf' pistons I believe are manufactured by County; given my experience with their water pumps I refused to buy their pistons.

I'm not sure what brand they are but you may want to give them a call. They may sell different brands.