602 crate engine, replace piston?

[Eliminator SS]

Should I replace this piston or run it? OR replace all pistons with forged ones?

 

[biker]

What the heck you do to it? Did u lose a head gasket? What's your induction? Naturally aspirated? Any nitrous? I know you said crate motor, but have you changed the cam? Compression? RPM range?

 

[Eliminator SS]

It's an ex imca 602 crate engine
Finished its last race in the top 5 even with that hole in the valve. I'm guessing something from the carburetor came loose and went through the engine.
I'm installing a 480 lift cam that was suggested by a few different Vortec guys and will be keeping the compression as close to 9.5-10 :1 as possible even if I replace the pistons. It's going to go into my 79 Z28. Just a nice little hot 350.

 

[1980RS]

If you are going forged, make sure you have the right piston to wall clearance. Cast pistons will be tighter and forged may scuff without the proper clearance.

 

[dcozzi]

Looks like whatever went into the cylinder went right out the exhaust along with that piece of valve. The piston and cylinder wall look good from what I can see in the pic. I would fix the head/valve and run it.

 

[G72Zed]

If you run the same pistons, just make sure you did not pinch the top ring on that piston from that piece getting hammered by the piston.

 

[dcozzi]

If you run the same pistons, just make sure you did not pinch the top ring on that piston from that piece getting hammered by the piston.




View attachment 100716

Man, I really need to start wearing my glasses.

 

[biker]

Man, I really need to start wearing my glasses.

Me too I guess.

 

[Eliminator SS]

The plan I've decided on is to pull all of the pistons, give the cylinders a quick hone, clean and inspect the pistons, and reinstall with the original pistons and rings if they aren't damaged.

 

[G72Zed]

Good plan, at least you will know if that piston took a hit, better safe than sorry, and your 1/2 way there anyway. Hope everything works out for you.