making pistons

[inthedark]

I have seen some of the projects you people have done and they are pretty impressive.

I would like to know what material pistons are made of?

I know this seems insane, but I would like to make a set of pistons for my harley. Sure I could buy 'em but it would be cool to make 'em.

Thanks for your time,
Kenny

[Ken_Shea]

The best ones are usually Forged Aluminum, that may be a problem finding that for a reasonable amount of cash. Obviously this is not about saving money so it is doable. Maybe some of the premium aluminum alloys may work as well like 7075 .


Ken

[wms]

I would call one of the custom piston guys, Wesco, JE, Childs+Albert, Arias, CP, Ross, ect...

And buy a couple of forged blanks. Most places sell them and that way you would be getting a good alloy and the grain would be right.

Most pistons are a very high silica alloy , not what you would find normally in billet .

Also you would have the pin bosses pretty much in place. As it is somewhat hard to get to the under sides of those babies.

Bare in mind that lots of pistons are turned "barrel" shaped not cylindrical. Special turning centers are required to do this.

Also the finish on the wall is very controled... by that I mean not smooth but controlled to retain oil.

Then there are the ring grooves and oil ring holes and gas ports and pin clip grooves and.......

Good luck. If you choose to accept this mission.....

[inthedark]

Thanks,

I was able to balance my crank, and rods, then bore and sleeve my cylinders some time back. I will do some research before I destroy anything.