Chuck Kuntz Posted November 28, 2017 Posted November 28, 2017 New piston expander sets for most makes of cars from 1930-1950 $5 per set. This is a low cost option to new pistons. You must specify year and model.
trimacar Posted December 20, 2020 Posted December 20, 2020 I never have understood what a piston expander does or how it works...anyone used them?
JFranklin Posted December 20, 2020 Posted December 20, 2020 (edited) 7 hours ago, trimacar said: I never have understood what a piston expander does or how it works...anyone used them? In Los Angeles, I remember TV and radio ads for Lou's Garage. He would overhaul your engine mostly with a hone job, bearings, valve grind, and a set of piston expanders. Oh yes, of course you got new gaskets and oil. It probably cost you a whole $59.95! After honing the piston, the skirts needed expanding to mitigate piston slap. Does anyone else remember those ads? Edited December 21, 2020 by JFranklin (see edit history)
yachtflame Posted April 3, 2021 Posted April 3, 2021 So....what is this and do you have one for a 1930 LaSalle 340? How about a 1931 Cadillac 355?
trimacar Posted April 3, 2021 Posted April 3, 2021 Any in a box that states Pierce Arrow? I'd buy one of those sets...
Chuck Kuntz Posted April 4, 2021 Author Posted April 4, 2021 Sorry can't help on either of those two cars. These expand the skirt of the piston to compensate for wear. Chuck
Swear57 Posted November 21, 2021 Posted November 21, 2021 I believe he's talking about chucking the piston up in a lathe & using a knurler to expand the skirt then fitting each piston to each cylinder.
Chuck Kuntz Posted November 21, 2021 Author Posted November 21, 2021 No, these fit inside the piston to expand the skirt. Chuck 1
Flivverking Posted March 19, 2022 Posted March 19, 2022 I have a few NOS sets of these around to..They are just spring clips you install in the middle of the piston skirt(which you have to modify a bit) to ,in theory,expand the piston skirt ever so slightly,closing up the clearance,stalling off a real rebore.. Done when doing basic re-ringing and usually coupled with a valve grind ,back in the 30's to the 50's when plain old service overhauls where common. You may kill off some piston slap .LOL! I have only seen them installed in Early Fords,Model.A and early V8s and 30's Mopars. Sorry,but I see no value in them other then a display Item.
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