I HAVE A 1960 T-BIRD WITH A 430 I HAVE SCARED TWO LEFT SIDE PISTONS AND NEED TO REPLACE THEM WITH GOOD USED STANDARD ONES. THE CASTING NUMBER IS B9LE- 6111A HAS ANYONE GOT ANY ? ALSO WERE CAN A PERSON BUY NEW STANDARD PISTONS THE CHEAPEST? THANKS FOR ANY AND ALL HELP
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kultulz i spoke with lincoln old parts and he said the 1960 pistons would work the only difference would be the raised surface on the piston. the compression would be different (about 10%). his only concern was the clearance of the rise to the head . any knowledge on these?
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The stamping no. you give B9LE indentifies the part as 1959 LINC. CR supposedly was 10.0 to 1. 1960 CR was supposedly 10 to 1. When I go to the FORD MPC (60/64) (I have no early LINC-MERC MPC at this time), it shows service replacement pistons from a 1962 LINC engine.
Is the piston he is looking at an actual B9LE or a later service replacement (if his is actually NOS FORD).
Is he saying the dome of the piston is different from the 1959? Does he have an early piston to compare with?
What I am thinking is what he has are aftermarket. I find it hard to believe anyone would have NOS laying around.
Like I say, there are many members at the LINC board that redo these 430's and just might have a couple of pistons laying around, even if used.
Hope this helps and doesn't confuse (I am good at that ).
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SORRY I MAY HAVE NOT MADE IT VERY CLEAR. HE HAS A GOOD USED SET OF 8 OUT OF THE SAME ENGINE IT IS A 1960 430 LINCOLN ENGINE.. HE SAYS THE CAST NUMBER IS DIFFERENT . THE ONLY DIFFERENCE HE SEE,S IS THE RAISED PART OF THE PISTON BUT IT VARIES VERY VERY LITTLE FROM MINE. IT COULD CHANGE THE COMPRESSION SLIGHTLY AND I WOULD USE THE COMPLETE SET. MAY I ASK YOUR OPINON
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Are there stampings on the pistons he has (I guess the short is not disassembled)? If you get them and decide either you can't or won't use them, will he give your money back? If they are standard, they most likely have to be assembly parts. While I don't know for sure, the pistons should be the same. Is he sure the engine (while out of a 60 LINC) is actually a 60?
As long as the compression riser is not higher and the valve reliefs are about the same (if much different I would assemble and check for any possible interference) I would say yes.
I would still ask around for two NOS or good used.
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he did say i could return for refund if they did not work as for the casting numbers i don,t know 150.00 for all 8 however i have a call in to another place that thinks he may have matching cast numbers i found moments ago i would definately prefre them two even for 150.00 maybe tommorow i can lay this to rest. that bird 430 must really be odd thanks
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kultulz i spoke with lincoln old parts and he said the 1960 pistons would work the only difference would be the raised surface on the piston. the compression would be different (about 10%). his only concern was the clearance of the rise to the head . any knowledge on these?
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It seems LINC lowered it's compression ratio (and carburetion) in 1960 while FORD (TBIRD) used the 1959 LINC engine. This must be the difference in the piston appearance he is noticing.
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LOWER COMPRESSION WOULD WORK BETTER WITH LOWER OCTANE FUELS. HOWEVER I GUESS THE PISTONS WOULD FIT THE BLOCK AND FUNCTION AS MY ORGINALS EXCEPT FOR THE COMPRESSION DIFFERENCE. WHATS YOUR TAKE ON THIS. THANKS
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The 60 LINC was down rated. If I had a set of eight low compression pistons, I would probably redo all eight cylinders. Hopefully you will find a match tomorrow.
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(Login hawkrod) MEL Forum Moderator 205.188.116.136
actually they did break them down by engine.....
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August 18 2004, 9:03 PM
Beacause Tbirds were built at Wixom more records are available than for standard Fords. It used to be posted on one of the big Tbird sites but I can't find it right this minute. I can tell you that there were 3,154 1959 hardtops with 430's but the 60's are significantly more common. Hawkrod
Hawkrod
39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
59 Tbird 430
60 Lincoln Premier
(2)62 Tbirds
(3)68 Cougar XR7-G's
69 Cougar 428CJ 4 speed
77 1/2 Ford F250 4X4 w/460 swap
86 SVO mustang
I guess I stand corrected as well, I was under the impression....
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August 19 2004, 8:19 AM
that there were many more 60's than 59's and that does not look to be the case. hawkrod
Hawkrod
39 Ford Deluxe Coupe
59 Tbird 430
60 Lincoln Premier
(2)62 Tbirds
(3)68 Cougar XR7-G's
69 Cougar 428CJ 4 speed
77 1/2 Ford F250 4X4 w/460 swap
86 SVO mustang
well now we know 1254 430 covertible birds were born and not all have survived. any data on about how many might have survived today or is any way to check?
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I don't know if one exists, but that type of organization would try to verify all remaining. But of course not everyone would participate (or be aware of) or report the ones in bone yards or a barn somewheres. I know I wouldn't mind having one...
What did you decide on the pistons?
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I decided to get all 8 lincoln pistons with the understanding i can return them if anything does,nt work. i had no choice being all other leads fell thru on the 10 to 2 to 1 pistons. i think i can still get my hands on the 60 bird with the locked up motor. question is the pistons the same in it and are they any good once opened up
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Do you have one of your OEM used 430 pistons wich you can send me as sample.I need this to get the messurement to get a quote for custom forged pistons.Thanks.
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