Source for pistons (was L16 w/flat tops and open-chamber A87? )

[farmer_fred]

Well, my assured-to-be flat-top L16/L24 pistons arrived and they are not only dished, they are dished with un-needed valve reliefs. I only asked the sellers (reportedly Datsun/Z specialists) 5 times, and had them confirm with their supplier that these were indeed flat tops. Now the story is "those were the only L16 pistons available" and I get to fight with them over a return. Joy. When did "give the customer what he wants" change to "Sell the customer what we have whether he needs it or not"?

The pistons are Taiwanese, with steel bits cast into the alloy pistons, and pins that float easily in the pistons, which is different that OEM or the other new set of dished pistons I have on the bench.

Does anyone know of a source for cast, flat-top pistons I can use in an L16?

TIA

[Byron510]

Fred, where are you located? It might make a difference on your source. (general location in profile does help)

Here in Vancouver I recently have helped a friend source flat top pistons for his L20B. These turned out to be 280Z pistons. However for your bore size, I know the Canadian 240Z's did came OEM with flat tops that were the same bore as the L16.

Locally for us, two reputable shops are Magnem Engine Services and Hi Performance Engines. The 2 shops are about 5 minute’s apart, but both are Datsun savvy.

Also Specialty Engineering might be able to source the parts for you as well. When dealing with parts suppliers, it's best to go with trusted ones. It's frustrating to hear what you are going through. Any of us doing performance mods have suffered the same crap, it is frustrating and I never give companies like this a second chance because they obviously don't understand what time is worth.

Byron

[farmer_fred]

Hey thanks,

I am in the SE US, but don't mind paying shipping for the right bits.

I found these and emailed the vendor to see if they are really available: https://www.uempistons.com/index.php?ma ... 4962dc380a

They said yes and directed me to Summit to buy them.

[510wizard]

Silvo-o-lite (united engine) is right up the road from me in Carson City, they do all their design work and small custom orders there , but most production is in Mexico. They have multiple brands under the corporate name. They will do custom pistons (one offs).

[okayfine]

I don't know who owns who, but it appears the OP's link to uempistons is Sivl-o-lite.

Catalog is here:
https://www.uempistons.com/catalogs/sil ... atalog.pdf

Page 88 starts the Nissan stuff.

[farmer_fred]

Seem to be the correct pistons. Yay! I had to get 6 but no sweat.

Now I just need rings and the block can go to the machine shop.

[510racer28]

Those appear to be 73 Z-car pistons. Check the pin height, Nissan had a version of these pistons (12010-H2716) with valve reliefs that had a 38.8mm pin height if you want more compression. They are still available on-line

[farmer_fred]

Those appear to be 73 Z-car pistons. Check the pin height, Nissan had a version of these pistons (12010-H2716) with valve reliefs that had a 38.8mm pin height if you want more compression. They are still available on-line

I put one of these and an OEM dished piston on the same pin, and the tops lined up exactly, just w/o the dish. They're at the machine shop now, with the crank, block and rods.

[datzenmike]

Those appear to be 73 Z-car pistons. Check the pin height, Nissan had a version of these pistons (12010-H2716) with valve reliefs that had a 38.8mm pin height if you want more compression. They are still available on-line

12010-H2716 is the '72 and up L24 1mm oversize piston... making it 84mm diameter that won't fit the stock bore without some machining.

All stock L4 and L6 piston pin heights are 38.1mm

The L16 piston is already 0.1mm above the block deck. If there were 38.8mm pistons this would place the piston top 0.9mm above the deck well over the recommend 0.3mm to allow for rev induced rod stretch. Instead of 0.043" of clearance with the underside of the head you would have just 0.011". Might be ok on an open chamber head

The pistons are Taiwanese, with steel bits cast into the alloy pistons, and pins that float easily in the pistons, which is different that OEM or the other new set of dished pistons I have on the bench.
TIA

All stock L series piston pins float or rotate in the piston. Generally they are press fit into the rods.

[farmer_fred]

All stock L series piston pins float or rotate in the piston. Generally they are press fit into the rods.

Yep, my error earlier. All good now. Picked up the block, crank (needed a polish only) and pistons pressed onto the rods yesterday. Ready to start assembling!

[datzenmike]

I sized my L20B rods with a brake cylinder hone and a lot of time so the pins would just barely fit and turn smoothly. Drilled an oil hole too.

[farmer_fred]

I sized my L20B rods with a brake cylinder hone and a lot of time so the pins would just barely fit and turn smoothly. Drilled an oil hole too.

Cool! My Guzzis work that way. But how do you keep the pins from walking out into the cylinder wall?

[datzenmike]

Should have expanded the answer. I'm building a 2.3 with KA24E pistons from an S13. They were 'floaters' and the pin bore in the pistons have grooves for C clips.

[510racer28]

datzenmike, trust me they are 38.8mm.

I used these on an L16 with L18 head (open chamber) to increase compression. Like the L16, the L24 had various combustion chamber designs through the years. I'm guessing NISSAN came up with these for the later Z with open chamber heads. I have L16 heads (210 castings) with closed, semi-closed and open chambers.