can anyone tell me why the one tail like tab on a piston would break off? i just got the engine used and was told it ran great before it was pulled 2 weeks ago... was going over everything on it and found a piece of metal in the pan and a washer??? then found where the piece of metal went ... on the end of the piston.. there is no where i see that it would have contacted anything but it still is broke off and clue why?? i may be able to get a picture on here later if it helps.. thanks all...
Don

 

Usually things like that develop from manufacturing flaws (these can be very minor) and are made worse from vibration, heat cycles, etc. Take a look at it and see if there is an old crack, then a shinier new crack at the break line. At any rate it really doesn't matter, hopefully it didn't make a lap in the cylinder and screw that up. If it didn't scratch the wall and if it's a factory piston you can usually just replace it. Since you have to buy a set of rings, you might as well hone and ring the thing. Since you'll have the rods out, you might as well replace those bearings too. Whenever I use cast pistons, I am real careful to deburr the skirt area to prevent things like that from happening. (cast pistons are more susceptible to cracking than forged IMO).

 

sounds like what it did... the cylinder wall looks fine.. and you can still see the hones in it... it almost looks as though it was rebuilt not long ago.. the bearings look pretty much new from what i can see... but like you said i have to get the ring kit and will have the rods out.. so might as well hone it.. get a new piston... rings.. and bearings and put it back together... thanks for your reply...
Don

 

What did you pay for it? I think i'd be asking for some of my money back..

 

Paid 300 for the long block... the guy swears it ran great when it was pulled and there was no other metal or anything in the oil and the top end was very clean.. so far everyone that has looked at it is saying to just put a new piston and rings in.. the bearings look pretty much new. just trying to get some opinions from people on here..

 

I thought by the thread title it was gonnig to be about being drunk with no money