Re: WTB - 352" V8 Pistons .030" or .040"

Posted by Jack Vines On 2014/12/2 13:31:47

The Packard V8 OEM pistons were "Bohnalite autothermic aluminum alloy with a cast-in strut of Invar low expansion steel alloy of 36% nickel and 64% iron, which assists in keeping the piston from expanding", is all I've ever seen.

FWIW, the Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation was located on 2512 E. Grand Blvd., just down the road from the Packard plant. Bohn was a major piston supplier to GM and other OEMs up into the 1980s. Beyond that, I have no more info.

Probably the cost to fit pistons tight by hand contributed to Packard's demise? Each piston was measured, marked with a one or two letter code and put in box of similar sizes. Each finished cylinder bore was measured and stamped with a one or two letter code on the bottom edge of the block. The assembler had to look at the rod number, look at the block letter code and hang a matching piston.

jack vines