pistons chief

[cscott]

Is there any difference between a 1930 chief pistons and a 36 chief pistons? thanks

[PaulCDF]

I am thinking No as Geers lists fitment for the 36 Chief pistons as:
This part also fits:

Piston & Ring Sets

• 1936 Chief
• 1937 Chief
• 1938 Chief
• 1939 Chief
• 1940 Chief
• 1941 Chief
• 1942 Chief
• 1944 Chief
• 1945 Chief
• 1946 Chief
• 1947 Chief
• 1948 Chief

[RonH]

No, just the difference between the 74" and the 80" pistons

[tfburke3]

My 34 chief came with optional low compression cast iron pistons,with I guess aluminum being standard.
When did aluminum pistons become standard?
My guess is the bore,wrist pin location are same with differences being material and ring number and thickness,no t-slot or cam ground.
I changed the 2 comp ring cast piston to late aluminum t-slot cam ground style.
Tom

[gharper]

The only difference is oil control rings and weight, dimensionally, they are the same. The 30 Chief originally did not have oil control rings but may have been an early version of an alloy piston. I've been running Greers pistons in my 24 Chief with oil control rings for years and they are great. I also put them in my 31 Chief, which is yet to be started but they will be fine. You should rebalance, regardless of what pistons you use. Oil control rings on a total loss motor are fine, but you will need to turn the oil pump output down and monitor the level, it can tend to get too high. I dump the 2-3 oz of oil at every gas fill up and reset the oil level. It's cheap insurance and peace of mind to have fresh oil and know the level is correct.

The beauty of all 74" chiefs, from 1923 forward is the interchangeability of many engine parts, including flywheels, rods, crank, drive and pinion pins and nuts, bearings and cages, tappets, valves and pistons etc. I prefer to run later crank parts, as the 1930 and earlier flywheels are spoked and were notorious for breaking apart. So, if you're in the engine now, look for later rods and flywheels, it will be a much better bottom end!