Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Just spoke with Egge Machine and they told me they won't be making. 374" pistons again.

I'm getting panicked calls and just sold my last set.

Forged are $800+ with months-long lead time.

I'm knurling and reusing old pistons but that won't work in most cases.

Jack Vines

Jack,

We have manufactured numerous pistons that Egge has dropped, it's a labor of love as the quantity we have to make is often a 3-5 year inventory. Do you know of any hardware that keeps that kind of stock, usually stock should have 3-4 times turn a year.

Egge dropped the 3 1/4" 35-47 282" 120 piston, we're making it although the sales have dropped every year for many years.

When posters complain that we don't have something in stock or have discontinued something, I 'll ask them to send us the funds fro the project and we'll return it in 3-5 years with no interest.

Suppose it's time to start thinking creatively, as if we were Cubans and start looking for a workable alternative. I have heard that some have successfully used either Buick or Chrysler piston rings but that's the extent of piston parts swapping. I would imagine that wrist pins, connecting rods and big end bearings would come next and everything would have to work nicely with its neighbor. What about replacement stock for the 320 and in between 352 motors?

Any advice for preserving our 374s that are still performing well when it comes to piston longevity? If they've lasted sixty years or more, perhaps they can go quite a bit more if they're treated gently and properly maintained. We should also be concerned about the dwindling number of competent mechanics with the experience needed. Preservation and conservation will become our mantra.

Wiseco makes pistons if there is enough interest to have them made. I know the Saab guys are having replacement pistons made for the 2 stroke 3 cylinder engines....

Jack Vines Quote:

Yup and getting more expensive all the time. Fortunately, I order a set of Ross custom forged pistons 15 years ago at $400 a set. Just getting around to using them now.

Craig

Wiseco? Yes, as I said, they JE, BRC and several others will make forged customs for enough money ($800 - $1200) and months of lead time.

Fred. Thanks for the reply. We very much appreciate learning Kanter has 374" pistons still available,

Jack Vines

JE pistons few years ago it only was like 2 weeks and mine were done. I dropped off a piston and packard specs.

Heck, I remember a time when motors were being parted out just for the pistons and bearings.

Kanter Auto does not have and are not currently planning to produce 374" pistons. The demand is very very low for a one year partial line piston of a low production vehicle

But 374" pistons are currently in the Kanter on-line catalog, #25259E, for $79 each, correct?

Jack Vines