WANTED A standard piston for a RB 383 cid (59-60 windsor or saratoga engine)

[furyfinn]

Hi guys,

A friend of mine has a -60 windsor and he has one broken piston in his engine (other pistons are fine).

Anyone knows from where to ask for this?

This 383 RB is a special engine, used only in 1959 and 1960 windsors and saratogas, so it is very rare these days...

 

[Davea Lux]

Hi guys,

A friend of mine has a -60 windsor and he has one broken piston in his engine (other pistons are fine).

Anyone knows from where to ask for this?

This 383 RB is a special engine, used only in 1959 and 1960 windsors and saratogas, so it is very rare these days...

These pistons have not been in production for at least 25 years as a replacement part.
It is possible to have them custom made.
Custom pistons are usually only sold in sets and you will be looking at some serious cash. The other option would be to try:
www.amsnos.com you might just get lucky. You might also try: www.oldmoparts.com
Call as they have a lot of old parts not on the website.
If you wind up having to buy a set of pistons, you will be better off having the block re-bored and ordering a set of replacement pistons to fit the new bore size.

Dave

 

[Davea Lux]

https://www.campbellenterprises.com/mopar/383-pistons.php for custom pistons. Among others.

Dave

 

[furious70]

What's the bore and compression height in them? If you're able to resize the rod there must be something that fits...

 

[Davea Lux]

What's the bore and compression height in them? If you're able to resize the rod there must be something that fits...

Problem is the RB series 383 was built around a 413 block by down sizing the bore. 4.031" bore by 3.75" stroke. Standard 383 is 4.250" bore by 3.375 stroke. This is probably not a situation where another piston can be made to fit. If a guy got lucky and this is a real straight block, he might be able to bore it to accept a 413 piston, but that would be a pretty risky endeavor because these blocks were still using the old casting techniques.

Dave

 

[furious70]

Was thinking all makes, hence the comment that you might need to resize the small end of the rod. Must be a GM piston that fits?

 

[Davea Lux]

Was thinking all makes, hence the comment that you might need to resize the small end of the rod. Must be a GM piston that fits?

Maybe if they did all 8, otherwise there would be a major balance problem. 396 chev would the closest at 4.094" bore by 3.76 on the stroke, so the pin height would probably be close enough. Could probably bore the engine 30 over to get a good fit, would need to figure out the valve clearances and deck height to see if they were anywhere close to right in addition to the pin size. Probably better off springing about $900 for custom pistons that would be sure to fit.

Dave

 

[twostick]

Lots of pistons available in that bore range, the problem is finding one with a 2" compression height. The solution is to call Diamond or one of the other piston companies and ask them if they have a shelf forging that can have the CH adjusted to put the piston where you need it.

The reason I suggested Diamond is because my understanding is they will make up to 2 changes to a shelf stock piston for about $35.

Kevin

 

[twostick]

Maybe if they did all 8, otherwise there would be a major balance problem. 396 chev would the closest at 4.094" bore by 3.76 on the stroke, so the pin height would probably be close enough. Could probably bore the engine 30 over to get a good fit, would need to figure out the valve clearances and deck height to see if they were anywhere close to right in addition to the pin size. Probably better off springing about $900 for custom pistons that would be sure to fit.

Dave

A 396 piston has a 1.762 CH so that won't work either.

Kevin

 

[furyfinn]

Thanks for your input, guys!

I'll pass all of it to my friend...