Re: Kanter Deluxe Kit for V8

Posted by Jack Vines On 2008/7/18 15:39:16

Hi, Hank,

1. Your OEM piston was made with a notch on the edge to indicate that side goes to the front. The Shop Manual allows .005" taper in the cylinder before requiring re-boring. Pistons can be cleaned by soda blasting or bead blasting. New rings are then fitted and the cylinder walls are freshened with a brush hone.

FWIW, I had to clean, sort through and micrometer measure four 374" engines to get two sets of pistons to re-use. For whatever reason, some of the pistons were tapered in at the bottom of the skirts. Even though they are Packard pistons, years, miles and time have used up many of them.

2. Don't even think about re-using old head gaskets. The risk isn't worth it. I agree, I haven't had to use any composite head gaskets, as I have been gathering up the steel shim gaskets. The intake manifold gaskets have a much easier life as well as being easier to replace. If they look good, if the area around the exhaust crossover isn't rusty, clean them with thinner and re-use them.

3. I'm going to be ordering several sets of custom forged pistons and am negotiating for a better price. Let me know what your needs are and I'll see what I can do for you. The first set is the most expensive.

thnx, jack vines