Author Topic: Aftermarket pistons (Read 10766 times)

bongo666shaftsburry · « **on:** May 24, 2014, 00:34:59 »

I have scoured the world for 2nd oversize pistons for M130 engine. The only ones I could find add up $1600+. I was told by Amboss that Mahle decided to discontinue production of those. I called a few aftermarket piston manufacturers and Wiseco says they can make them for $150 ea. There is probably going to be a lot of discouraging feedback on this but as I am rebuilding the engine myself and I have never done such a job to begin with there is significant possibility of a major disaster so I'd rather not risk even more $. In any event, can anyone enlighten me as to the pitfalls of aftermarket pistons and how to possibly avoid those?

ja17 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2014, 04:18:53 »

I wonder if Metrics has a supply of these? They must be using something? Normally after-market piston do not have the steel straps cast into the aluminum piston squirts (as do the originals) to control expansion.

bongo666shaftsburry · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2014, 05:24:33 »

Metric want $1530+s&h. Thank you for a good insight re straps. I'll have to call wisco and ask.

bongo666shaftsburry · « **Reply #3 on:** May 24, 2014, 05:32:48 »

There is a rebuilt M130 on eBay for $5600 complete with the trans. I keep wondering if I shouldn't stop deluding myself about being able to do proper rebuild myself (not to mention save myself a head ache) and just get it. BTW, my current M129 is hooked up to a trans that says 230SL on it. Could mating a 2.8 M130 be a problem?

ja17 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2014, 05:21:41 »

Get a list of what was done and which parts were replaced. "Rebuild" is much to vague of a description.

stickandrudderman · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2014, 07:49:22 »

I've only ever used genuine pistons but a friend of mine has seen many engine built with after-market pistons and he swears that he can actually hear the difference!

garymand · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2014, 21:47:16 »

Stick, what does he hear, how is it different? I assumed the OEM pistons would be available.

Bonnyboy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2014, 23:35:45 »

It is a trained ear that can hear the difference pistons make. The british motorcycle guys are the same - pistons have to be the original hepolite for the purists.

ja17 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2014, 05:18:20 »

Then non-original all aluminum pistons mush have more clearance in the cylinders to allow for expansion. With this, you get "piston slap", until the pistons fully warm and expand to fit the cylinders.

bongo666shaftsburry · « **Reply #9 on:** May 29, 2014, 08:28:21 »

Currently I'm working with Cees towards a possible purchase of NOS 3rd oversize 88mm pistons he appears to be in posession of, a discussion with the mashing shop is on the agenda for this morning.

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2014, 13:32:17 »

Joe: you may recall this is the set of pistons I purchased from you back in 2004 when you were selling some parts on Ebay. The 'tabellenbuch' lists only until second oversize, perhaps due to the thinness of the coolant passages between the 280 cylinder walls they backed away from third oversize. I suggested as an alternative a set of good used 2nd oversize, (with new rings perhaps), which would also be cheaper than new ones.

Wayne · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2014, 18:17:24 »

The question is are the aftermarket actually any good, if it's a driver will they do a job regardless of noise to the trained ear

For the price of 150 does that include rings ?

One of my two spare engines requires new pistons and rings after Crewe engines smashed the pistons out with a hammer and chisel, yes that's what they did.not got round to writing the thread yet.

I'm in the market for a set of the cheaper pistons and I'm interested in this thread to see just what the experts say considering I'm looking for low mileage driver quality and not perfection. I'm looking to have the spare engine rebuilt from scratch and to eventually put back in the car

ja17 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2014, 04:45:33 »

Hello Cees,

Yes I remember those pistons. Are your sure they were for a M130? I am thinking that they were for a 230SL W127.

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2014, 23:27:41 »

Hi Joe; I'll check again but the part number does start with '130'.

ja17 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2014, 12:39:00 »

You might be right Cees, that was a long time ago!

George Des · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2014, 15:01:49 »

My 230Sl engine was rebuilt back in 1976 and we were having a tough time locating oversized pistons at the time. My mechanic suggested sleeving with std size pistons. Right before we went that route he was able to locate the oversized by they were Kolbenschmidt and not Mahle I got about 25 years of flawless service out of these before doing another rebuild using the next higher oversized Mahles a few years ago. My understanding is that DB used both KS and Mahle during the production of these cars.

ja17 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2014, 01:34:11 »

Yes you are correct George. The Kolbenschmidt pistons are also OEM and are made to Mercedes specifications. They too have the steel straps cast into the aluminum piston squirts.

bongo666shaftsburry · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2014, 23:06:26 »

The quote of $150 per from Wesco included everything. As long as there is no significantly accelerated engine wear I can live with a little extra noise (and then there is always sound insulation).

Re 88.0 mm: If I went that route, would I need to deal with the whole issue of adding the infamous coolant slot inserts for physical protection of cylinder walls? What about adding water injection to keep cylinders on the cool side? Would adding a second oil cooler (perhaps with an electric cooling fan) help cool the engine. All this being said, I prefer to keep the interventions to a minimum.

Art

bongo666shaftsburry · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2014, 07:34:16 »

I followed up on a lead suggested by one of the members and got in touch with JP pistons in Australia. They do indeed make pistons for M130 including o/s pistons. They charge $190 per. I run across an old article in some Brit auto mag describing the making of aftermarket pistons and they just happened to use JP as an example. According to the article, JP happens to own many original piston moulds for classic cars. One process that's described in there sounds suspiciously like the making of a Mahle piston (particularly the steel insert (but then maybe other manufacturers do/did the same)).

Garry · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2014, 08:12:07 »

Just as a matter of interest, where are they located in Australia??

Garry

tel76 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2014, 19:18:44 »

Hello Garry,
There address is -
J P Pistons, Windsor road, South Australia, 5087.
E mail pistons@jp.com.au

Garry · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2014, 22:44:16 »

Thanks,

I thought it might have been the same place that had the bearing shells in Victoria. I had a really hard time finding pistons a couple of years ago. It would have saved me heartache and I ended up getting them made for me in the USA

Garry

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Author Topic: Aftermarket pistons (Read 10766 times)

bongo666shaftsburry

bongo666shaftsburry

bongo666shaftsburry

bongo666shaftsburry

Wayne

George Des

bongo666shaftsburry

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