Steel pistons

David G · Mar 28, 2020

My truck has forged steel pistons, thought that was a little unique, but found out that it is becoming common on high performance or boosted engines.

You learn something every day.

Would the rings tend to gall if the are steel?

moresmoke · Mar 28, 2020

Many of the big diesels are two piece pistons with a steel head and aluminum skirt. More compression and heat than aluminum alone can handle. The rings are probably chrome alloy, coated with some wonder material.

PopinJohn · Mar 28, 2020

Detroit Diesel came out with two-piece steel crown
pistons with an aluminum skirt back in the 1970?s.

jal-SD · Mar 28, 2020

Looks like what's old is new. Seems to me that most of the old Chev 235-6's had forged pistons back in the day. To "hot-rod" them, ya put in aluminum pistons when you re-bored the block. They usually had to be overhauled about every 80,000 or so. I drove a coupe of different 235's more than 150,000 each. They were good engines.

JD Seller · Mar 29, 2020

The forged steel pistons can handle the higher temperatures better then the aluminum pistons. To help meet the EPA standards these new diesel motors are running higher combustion chamber temperatures.

Richard G. · Mar 29, 2020

Henry Ford used steel pistons in some of the last Model T's.
It apparently was to cut down on weight of the pistons.
Richard in NW SC

Steel pistons

David G

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moresmoke

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PopinJohn

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jal-SD

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JD Seller

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Richard G.

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