1969 Z/28 DZ 302 overbore to .040? Piston Source?

[doomer]

My DZ 302 is out and apart for the first time since I got it. The block is already at .030 and needs to go a little further. I'd like very much to go no further than .040 is possible, but my machinist's supplier seems to only have .060 for the 302. This is my first rebuild, and am depending heavily on my mechanics knowledge. He is a great guy, running an old school shop, and wants to help me keep her as true as possible. He asked that I check with you folks on a supplier to see if there are .040 pistons available? I'm looking for recommended manufacturers and item #'s if possible.

I found some via Ricks/Eckler's. http://www.rickscamaros.com/camaro-piston-set-302ci-11-1-0-040-over-high-performance-1967-1969.html Just not sure if these are recommended.

Thanks!

[cook_dw]

Those will work just not forged which isnt a huge deal if this is strictly a restoration.  Also look at Icon Performance Pistons (summitracing.com).  Also if you call JE, SRP or Wiseco pistons they can custom build you a set if needed.  Hope that helps.

[69Z28-RS]

one small nit:   you cannot 'restore' a 302 and not use forged pistons, fully floated pins, etc..        you'd be doing only a semblance of a 302 if you used cast pistons.  JMO....

[doomer]

I agree, wholeheartedly. I didn't catch that until after I posted the link.

These seem pricey, but does anyone have experience with them?

http://www.campbellenterprises.com/chevy-302-pistons-302-piston-sets/302-chevy-pistons-wiseco-forged.php

[dutch]

Try:

http://www.jepistons.com/Catalogs/SRP/Chevy_SB/302-327_dome.aspx

Randy

[68camaroz28]

Try:

http://www.jepistons.com/Catalogs/SRP/Chevy_SB/302-327_dome.aspx

Randy

Hi Randy! Must be more .04 over pistons than I was aware of as it always seemed the only two available were .03 & .06 over!

[jims69]

Forged pistons..............Yes!

[dutch]

Chick - Yea, there are a lot more lately than there ever were before - for sure..
I would like to try and get some at some point myself as my .030"s are pretty loose in the MO although when I last had it in the car they seemed still to work pretty well.
A 1/16 / 1/16/ 1/8 ring pack can't take too much rocking before they start leaking some I would imagine though..
I would also imagine anyone who doesn't want the full load that some of these full pop up pistons provide could also probably request the tops be cut some to lower the compression down to a somewhat more manageable factor like a shade over 10:1 if they asked J&E prior to ordering..

[doomer]

These are what I've narrowed it down to. Anyone have a setup with these?

http://www.campbellenterprises.com/chevy-302-pistons-302-piston-sets/302-chevy-pistons-wiseco-forged.php


or

http://www.jepistons.com/Products/261357.aspx

Also, how do I determine from these web sites is these are narrow or wide bands?

[69Z28-RS]

The Campbell Enterprises add for their forged pistons state:   "...... Wiseco Pro Tru Forged 302 piston sets for the Chevy 302 engine"
They call them Tru Forged... and it makes me wonder if they are building the same pistons as the old 'ForgedTru' pistons (which is what I've got in my 302), but which date to the 1971 timeframe or earlier.  Does anyone know?

[dutch]

You may wish to check out the CHP site to see if it states what Jerry uses for his 302 rebuilds or racing engines - or better yet fire him off a call or email and see if he sells any particular ones himself - besides asking him of course, for particular preferences he has and why..
Randy

[CNorton]

The Campbell Enterprises add for their forged pistons state:   "...... Wiseco Pro Tru Forged 302 piston sets for the Chevy 302 engine"
They call them Tru Forged... and it makes me wonder if they are building the same pistons as the old 'ForgedTru' pistons (which is what I've got in my 302), but which date to the 1971 timeframe or earlier.  Does anyone know?

Results of a Google search for <Forged True Pistons> indicate that the original Forged True company was absorbed by Bill Miller Engineering a number of years ago.  Inasmuch as Bill Miiller is still making pistons as well as other components, the use of that name by someone else is probably somewhat misleading. 

I'm sure that Jerry is using pistons from an aftermarket supplier for his race motors.  Modern piston/ring technology has far surpassed the era of the original parts.  Common suppliers of Stock Eliminator pistons are Diamond, Wiseco, Ross, J & E, or CP Pistons.  I'm sure that Jerry has a preference, as does the rest of the Stock Eliminator field.  "Stock" is a relative term under today's rules.

[69Z28-RS]

Forged True was a very expensive piston in the late sixties, and the set of 30 over piston in my '69 302, actually came from a '67 302 that I had, which had been ran in a '67 Z28, which ran 11.6 in the old 'stock' class (prior to '71), which was right at or under the national record for the class at that time.  The only mods allowed were headers and 7" slicks.  mine were originally cut for dykes rings, but when I put them in my '69 302, I had them grooved for standard 1/16" compression ring, although that groove is higher on the piston than is typical.   It was blueprinted for the maximum allowable compression in the '67 engine, and was higher than 'stock' in my '69 motor, which is the primary reason I parked the car in my garage in 1980, due to the difficulty in getting suitable octane fuel.

[z28z11]

My DZ 302 is out and apart for the first time since I got it. The block is already at .030 and needs to go a little further.

    Not trying to be nosey, or reinvent the wheel, but what does the block measure out as ? When I rebuilt my '69 in '75, the original pistons were worn, but the block was great after 50K miles - the high tin/nickel content in the block casting did what GM bumped the percentages up for; kept wear to a minimum in the block, pistons become the wear parts. Also, keep in mind forged pistons "grow" quite a bit when up to operating cylinder temps - the reason why wall clearances are different between cast (which run closer tolerances on the walls), and forged pistons, "sloppier". Depending on the wear, you could always knurl the pistons to tighten up the skirt to wall clearance -
    Stupid me put Manley 12.5:1's in the '69 engine; fortunately I kept a set of stockers, plus I bought a set of NOS GM .030's when they went obsolete. GM .030's ('67-early '68 narrow rings) in the '68 Z. Glad I don't have to buy 'em nowadays -

Regards,
Steve

[tmodel66]

My DZ 302 is out and apart for the first time since I got it. The block is already at .030 and needs to go a little further.

    Not trying to be nosey, or reinvent the wheel, but what does the block measure out as ? When I rebuilt my '69 in '75, the original pistons were worn, but the block was great after 50K miles - the high tin/nickel content in the block casting did what GM bumped the percentages up for; kept wear to a minimum in the block, pistons become the wear parts.
    
Regards,
Steve

Not according to JohnZ. All the added tin and nickel was dropped because it didn't improve the blocks.

" the "010-020" raised numbers that indicate the 0.1% and 0.2% tin and nickel content in some blocks; that was an extended tryout where the added tin was to improve machinability and the added nickel was to improve bore wear. It was discontinued when the promised warranty improvements failed to appear, and the added cost was no longer justified."