86.5mm (+.020") flat top pistons

[zack_280]

If you are going to rebore your engine, I advise you go with a 1mm bore.

These are impossible to find. I have ordered two sets; one the machine shop ordered from Liberty, the other from Victoria British, almost ordered another one from somewhere in Washington. To make a long story short all of these places claim to have the flat top piston, but all of the pistons they stock are dished. That's right even the one's that are supposed to be for the '75-'79 280ZX are dished. So, after about $150 of shipping and handling (I'm estimating since I haven't sent them back yet and assuming there is no restocking fee) I still have no pistons.

If someone knows where I can get 86.5mm pistons (+.5mm/.020"), please let me know. At this point I'm willing to buy a set of 87mm pistons and have the engine rebored. I'll take suggestions on that as well.

Thanks and good luck to the rest of you in the future. I hope my experience can help someone from making the same mistake.

[240ZMan]

I just went through a similar experience. In the end I went with a set of ITM pistons and rings. They were out of the .020 so I went with .030, but they might have them back in stock now. I bought through BAP-GEON which is an import parts chain in a few western states. Top ring was moly as well - not chrome - just as I wanted. 1500 miles later and the rebuild is a complete success.

FWIW, I heard that Victoria British carries their pistons as well. But when I tried to confirm this they took 2 days to call back and not answer my question fully, and then took another 5 days to finish. In the mean time I had them delivered from BAP. My guess is they would take your order and ship if there aren't any stores near you. PM me if you would like to get the contact I used at BAP.

Good luck!

[zack_280]

Thanks for the info Daniel. That's what this forum is for.

To follow up, I was told that the piston I was purchasing was a flat top. I called ITM and was told that the 75-79 piston is a flat top. So when I talked to them today I asked what the difference was and I found out "the 81-83 piston is really flat". So I guess I took someone's word for it only to find out they didn't really know what they were talking about. ITM is still out of stock, so I'm still looking.

The reason I'm so adamant about an 86.5mm is because the machine shop has already bored the block and I would rather not have to pay them to do it again.

I just asked VB a question about the '81 pistons. Hopefully they can answer it quickly.

[240ZMan]

I meant to respond to that comment in your original post. For L28s, only 81-83 came with flat tops.

BTW, my machine shop wanted to have the pistons before they bored the block so they could bore to the actual size of the piston, plus .002" IIRC. They said they sometimes saw enough variation in the size of the piston from the spec that this was important.

While I was working on sourcing the pistons, I found another guy who was a few weeks ahead of me with same issue. He said he had called VB and they had confirmed the pistons were from ITM. However, when they finally got back to me, they gave me some other name that I didn't recognize. Of course, they also said the 3rd rings were chrome molly, and I doubt that was true either. The person in customer service didn't even know what a piston ring was. In the end I just didn't trust what they were telling me. But I've read others say they have bought pistons from them without issues. I'll be curious what they tell you.

[Z-point]

Guys,

this will cost a buck or two..

http://www.importperformanceparts.net/imports/pek-nissan.html

scrolldoown to number 15... that's the one you like!!