I’m looking for someone that either makes pistons for a 401 nailhead. I’m looking for 40 over stock pistons Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Speedway, Kanter or Egge for cast stock replacement, Ross Racing Engines or maybe Centerville Auto for Hypereutectic or forged. After that I think you're into custom Ross, Venolia, Arias racing piston territory.
Arias is now CP Carillo but have all of Nicks specs. Ross has a good turn around time or at least they have had for me. KB is also an option. UEM silvolite lists the 401 Buick under GM. 401 std up thru .100” over
There's a TON of Buick 401 pistons on that auction site we all know and love. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Tom Telesco, AKA "telriv" at V8Buick.com has the best drop in forged pistons available for Nailheads. If you want cast call Russ at Centerville Auto, Speedway Motors or TA Performance.
Get this, I was given a 55 264 complete Buick engine, completely taken apart, sent to a machine shop for a hot tank, polish the crank and bore it out thirty thousands. The owner was ready to put it together when he notice that the new pistons were missing. Someone took them. I help him install a SBC and he gave me the engine for my labor (this happen on base at the auto craft shop). So now, I am waiting for the guy who took the pistons, to show up, could be in for a long wait.
Big black market for .030 over 264 Buick pistons....... Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I'm not sure what you've done to the block so far, but you'd be wise to have the machinist do a proper sonic testing before buying pistons and overboring. .040" over can be pushing it on a 401 block depending on core shift. Better to spend a couple hundred for sonic testing now than to waste a cylinder or have an eternally overheating mess later. As for pistons, stay away from Egge and verify with Kanter. Egge's 401/425 piston specs are out of wack and will set the piston down in the hole approx. .100". That'll kill your quench and lower compression. Kanter sells Rebuilders Choice parts for some nailhead stuff, and Rebuilders Choice nailhead pistons are pretty terrible castings. Verify who builds Kanter's pistons if you go that route. Quality pistons are readily available through major suppliers and manufacturers. I'd go with Sealed Power/Federal Mogul (Jegs, Summit, Speedway) or Badger (TA Performance) for cast. I think Speedway Motors' are Sealed Power. It looks like Jegs has .040" Sealed Power on sale right now for $290 for the set with pins; good luck beating that price with free shipping and a solid return policy. If you want performance forged pistons, I second DigDugMD's recommendation of Telesco. He has the CAD drawings and forging company to design and forge whatever 401 piston you want along with a hookup on rings. You can get the pistons from smaller shops, but they'll be Sealed Power, Badger, Egge, or Rebuilders Choice with a ridiculous markup.
Did anybody have any luck getting in touch with Tom Telesco recetnly? Need a set of forged pistons for a 401, but his phone seems disconnected and he does not answer to emails. Greets Florian
Tom Telesco (Formally of Cl***ic & Muscle Automotive) 12 Cook St. Norwalk, Ct. 06853-1601 Try this number, 203-866-4954
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