346 flathead == piston orientation

[pauldridge]

Finally getting my engine back from the machine shop tomorrow.  I have the complete overhaul kit... new pistons, rings, valves, timing gear and chain, lifters, etc...

In looking at the pistons (at least my original ones), they are obviously asymmetrical.. on one side of the skirt there is a horizontal slot just below the last ring land with a circular hole at each end. whereas on the other side that same slot intersects a vertical slot, forming a "T".

Can someone tell me which side the "T" slot should face when the piston is installed in the block?

[Fred Pennington 25635]

Quote from the service manual
"Pistons should be assembled to the rods on all series so that the T-slot in the skirt will be on the left side of the engine."
Makes no sense to me. That would be up on one side and down on the other.
You might check Walt Brewers write ups on the Rocky Mountain Region website.
Good luck with it

[pauldridge]

Thanks Fred..

I have Walt's notes, I'll look through those.  Foolish of me not to take note at disassembly!

Phil

[Steve Passmore]

[quote author=Fred Pennington
"Pistons should be assembled to the rods on all series so that the T-slot in the skirt will be on the left side of the engine."
Makes no sense to me. That would be up on one side and down on the other.
[/quote]

Its more to do with all the pistons facing the correct direction, if you had all T slots facing down one bank would have its pistons facing backward. On a straight eight they would all face the same way wouldn't they?  same applies on a V8.

[Fred Pennington 25635]

Steve, I just quoted the service manual.
As I said it doesn't make sense to me. Most pistons have a mark for the front of the engine
It has been 4 years since I had my Flat Head apart and I don't remember what I did

It runs good though

Fred P.