Hastings or Grant

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dykker5502
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Hastings or Grant

Post by dykker5502 » Thu Feb 13, 2025 11:45 am

I'm considering to replace the cast iron pistons with aluminium pistons. I can see I can choose between Grant and Hastings rings of which the Grant rings are considerably cheaper than Hastings.
What are the difference apart from price? And what are the recommendations?
Ford Model T 1914 Touring
Ford Model T 1921 Roadster Pick-up
Ford Model T 1922 Fordor (danish build body)
ECCT, Strobospark, HCCT(Sold), Rebuilding coils

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Dennis Prince
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by Dennis Prince » Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:12 pm

I have had trouble with the oil rings not sealing with the Grant rings but not with Hastings.


Adam
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by Adam » Thu Feb 13, 2025 2:23 pm

The less expensive Grant rings are actually the higher quality. The ring end gaps are usually right on and the clearance in the grooves is very good.

For what its worth; for about the last twenty years most of the parts vendors have been supplying pistons in red, white, & blue boxes that have the “GN” trademark cast into them, the Grant brand rings have been a superb fit on them.

(This is my experience having built multiple engines / short blocks per year for over 20 years).


Dan Hatch
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by Dan Hatch » Thu Feb 13, 2025 3:45 pm

Here in the South ain’t going to use no Grant rings.


Shannon_in_Texas
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by Shannon_in_Texas » Thu Feb 13, 2025 7:37 pm

Dan, now that made me laugh! My Grandma (born in 1912) would never wear the color blue…


Jones in Aiken SC
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by Jones in Aiken SC » Thu Feb 13, 2025 10:44 pm

If I remember correctly, one of the vendor catalogues (I'm thinking Snyders) had the statement that the Hastings rings have a "higher pre-load" than the Grant rings.


Marshall V. Daut
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by Marshall V. Daut » Sun Oct 19, 2025 3:02 pm

O.K., Guys. I'm at that crossroads now, too, with a friend's '26 engine, which has 0.020" over aluminum pistons. I didn't really get a feel from this thread for which brand piston rings is considered better. Does a "higher pre-load" mean the rings are more difficult to compress for installation? Wouldn't a stiffer ring also make those rings produce better compression? Or would they prematurely wear the cylinder walls? It's usually a safe bet in life to spend more for a quality item than for a cheaper one and you usually get what you pay for. Usually. But why the significant difference in price between the Grant and Hastings brands, amounting just under a 50% differential? This engine is not a fresh rebuild. Would that be a point of consideration for which brand to buy?
It's not my money I'm spending to make this engine run again. I don't want to do this on the cheap, but I also don't want to unnecessarily run up my friend's parts cost. Very simply besides the cost, what are the differences between the two brands, and given my engine description, which would YOU buy?
Marshall


speedytinc
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Re: Hastings or Grant

Post by speedytinc » Sun Oct 19, 2025 3:21 pm

I only use the 1 piece cast iron oil ring. Grant I think? Confirm with the vendor.
I like a .0045-.005 piston clearance. With the extra clearance, get .030 over & fit each ring to each cylinder.

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