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Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:50 am
by Dpenry
Forgive me for this but of curiosity, but I was told by an old timer that you can put modern pistons in the T block, I can't for the life of me find info about this. Is there such a modification? Are there other modifications for the T that can allow it to use modern components?

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:15 am
by Norman Kling
The parts suppliers have aluminum pistons made to fit the T engine. Main difference is the 3 rings are above the wrist pin. They work fine, but need a little more clearance than the cast iron pistons because aluminum expands more than the block. They work fine. I use them in all my Model T.s.
Norm

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:24 am
by John kuehn
Modern pistons would be aluminum pistons which are lighter and 3 rings above the wrist pins. At least for a T. Most believe they are an improvement and I think they are. I don’t keep up with improvements in auto engines but I doubt any of what we would consider modern autos use cast iron pistons. Buts that’s a guess.
A T engine is like most older gas engines. Overtime improvements are made as time goes on.

A great improvement is better engine oil. Most T restorers would be shocked at the differences in the oil that was used in Henry’s time and what’s available now.

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:29 am
by Dpenry
I had heard 283 aluminum pistons were able to be installed in a T block with little machining. I am just curious if anyone had done this and what other internals engine parts could work... it just seems like an interesting idea.

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:06 pm
by big2bird
Dpenry wrote:
Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:50 am
Are there other modifications for the T that can allow it to use modern components?
There used to be a guy named Fred Upshaw that used Volvo camshafts.
My car has Chevy 6 valves.
All you need is access and $$$$.

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 2:05 pm
by GrandpaFord
The cast iron pistons are heaver than the aluminum pistons made for the Model T that are available from the suppliers. Every revolution the pistons have to stop and reverse direction two times. The heaver pistons take more force to stop and reverse and add more stress to the crankshaft than the aluminum pistons and may contribute to crankshafts breaking. This is especially true at higher RPM's. The cast iron pistons also add more stress to the rod bearings. In addition, the cast iron pistons use an outdated ring design that does not seal as well as modern piston rings. I would not recommend cast iron pistons.

The aluminum pistons do need more clearance and should be cam ground to compensate for uneven thermal expansion. They also need to be broken in more carefully.

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 8:46 pm
by Jerry VanOoteghem
I don't think the OP meant modern Model T pistons, etc. I believe he meant pistons, and other components, from modern cars.

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 10:31 pm
by modernbeat
With some work you can use a Ford 292 Y-Block piston. But, it will be very low compression unless you are also doing an OHV conversion.

I sent a Pruss head to Wisco. They make custom pistons for the engine building side of our shop all the time. They scanned the head and designed an ultra high compression (actually 6.5 to 1 instead the the 4.5 to 1 that the Pruss head delivers), lightweight piston that uses a modern ring package and is compatible with stock Model-T rods.

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:40 pm
by Steve Jelf
Why? If you want a modern car get a Model A. :D

Re: Modern Pistons/modern engine internals in Model T

Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:23 am
by paul hoogendoorn
I use 265 cubic inch small block Chevy pistons in my T. They are 3.75 inch bore pistons with off-center wrist pins giving more torque at low RPM. Minor machining required to the piston crown to the same shape as T pistons and bronze bushings to be made to compensate for smaller wrist pin size. The 265 cid engine was introduced in 1955 for the Corvette. Pistons with off-center wrist pins are also known as thrust pistons. These pistons weigh less than half the cast iron T pistons and give a very smooth running motor.