Looking for Affordable pistons for a 1976 tr7

[Guest Anthony]

Hi,

I have a 76 triumph tr7 that used to be my dads in high school and was parked in 1982 because the head warped and he didnt have 1000 dollars to gety another one. When my grandma sold her house it came to ours 10 years ago because I wanted it and being young and foolish (10 years old) I pulled the sparkplugs out and waited for my dad to buy new ones that never happened and now the motor is locked up, I bought a new head for it and started to disassemble the motor wich with all the rust is pretty tough and its going to need a bore job its pretty pitted. But every where I look I cant find pistons for under $340 does anyone know of a place to get them cheaper or maybe if an american piston would fit like a ford or chevy or something Id love to get them a little cheaper or something because its alot of money and I was dumb enough to start 5 other projects and this is becomeing the costliest one and my dad is like ready to make me junk it and I realy dont want to. Also does anyone know a trick to get rusty pistons out of a block.

Thanks

Anthony

[vanflyer]

One way to release rusty pistons is to fill the bore with diesel and let it soak for a week or so, then you might be able to knock the pistons down with a hammer and a block of wood. Don't attempt to knock down the piston at TDC as the crank will be directly under the rod, do it on the piston half way down the bore.

As to replacement pistons, this engine was designed for SAAB, maybe their is a common piston size with the old 99 model. however if you have the workshop manual it will give you the diameter so it might be possible to source a similar piston, provided the gudgeon pin in the small end of the rod is the same size.

[Guest dolomiteman]

Heat up some automatic transmission fluid and pour this into the bores and leave it for a few days and then repeat.

 

For pistons try 'Sprintparts', based in Australia they specialise in Dolomite Sprints and have pistons in stock which I think are the same standard bore. They ship worldwide and are reaonably priced. OK, you'll have a couple of valve cut outs instead of a dished crown, but that will up your CR...