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MG MGA - Pistons

Has anyone tried any other pistons in the 1622. I believe that there are some VW and Renault pistons that have been used?

I do not want to go to the expense of forged, but want something better than the Australian ones?

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin
For comparison - I have just had some 1622 +0.04" pistons fitted from Bob West MGA Specialist which cost £145 (+VAT & carriage). Pontefract can't be too far from you...

Pete
Pete Tipping

Colin,

What problems have you found with Australian made pistons? What brand are they?
The two main piston manufacturers in Australia are Mahle-ACL and JP Pistons.
The new Mahle-ACL factory is state of the art, with full Mahle engineering support. As you would know, Mahle make pistons for Porsche, Mercedes-Benz etc., and most Formula 1 racing engines. I run Mahle-ACL pistons at 8500 RPM in highly developed sports cars.
JP Pistons have the mga twin cam piston as a stock inventory item. I have only heard good news about those.
I, and the factories, would be interested in any problems that you have had. Have you put in any defect reports?

Mick
Mick Anderson

Pete, Bob is just up the road, and I spoke to him the other day but could only offer me the JP pistons, which I have already.

Mick, the pistons I have are JP, and are not suitable for a full race engine!!. Mahle I would use. Do you have a spec and price on these? I am on standard 1622 bore, and obviously need flat top.

This engine is an interim race engine, to get the car on the track. The next one will be steel crank and rods and forged pistons. I do not want to go the expense of forged pistons on the first engine as well!!

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin,

I do not have details for Mahle pistons for the MGA engine. The pistons I use are for Triumph engines. They make a range of Triumph pistons from the four cylinder wet sleeve TR engines to the later six cylinder engines.
Rather than have third party dealings with the company, could you send a Fax to Mahle at 61 3 9931 1573 (number preceded by UK international dial out code and no spaces between numbers).
Mahle have now bought out the ACL 49% shareholding.
ACl were previously called Repco, the makers of the Formula 1 championship winning engine in a car driven by Jack Brabham (a bit of trivia).

Mick
Mick Anderson

Colin,
Geoff McGladdery

Lets try again.................
Colin, It's worth keeping an eye on ebay, it is not unusual to find a set of Hepolite pistons. There is a set on there now - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-new-030-pistons-austin-morris-mg-wolseley-1622cc_W0QQitemZ4629561509QQcategoryZ27380QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem ,but they are for the low compression engines.You may still be able to use them with a skimmed head. It would be nice to keep in touch as I am building a 'better' engine - hence the thread on 'Big Bore'
Geoff
Geoff McGladdery

Mick, thanks for that. I thought you had used Mahle in the MGA. I will try my supplier here in the UK, to see if Mahle do something suitable.

Geoff, yes I watch ebay like a hawk!! And there is no way I can use concave pistons. They must be flat top to go with the Pete Burgess head.

So back to the original question has anyone used Golf or Renault pistons??

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin,

Mahle are forged, 250,- euro for one, balanced and made to your drawing.

Siggi
Siggi

Siggi, thanks for that.
I do not want to spend that sort of money on this engine.

I am just looking for a good quality cast flat top piston.

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Arias and Venolia make forged pistons.
I had Venolia make a set for a stock 60 1600 I was restoring. I used Venolia because they were cheaper than the cast AP pistons that were available at the time, 10 years ago, from the usual sources. I chose a modern 3 ring design as specified by the machine shop I used.
R J Brown

Colin,
I believe i have a set of Hepolites for a 1622 but will have to measure them and get back to you in a day or two.
regards
Colin
Colin Manley

Thanks one and all for your help / advice.

Total change of plans!!

I am now going to use a spare 1622, and bore that. Better crank etc, and I believe will bore a long way?

So any suggestions for pistons for a big bore 1622?

Colin
Colin Parkinson

Colin,
I have reached the same conclusion (see thread 'Big Bore') and would like to try to go to 1800 and use forged MGB pistons. It seems that by using liners, you can do this, but I haven't yet found anyone who can confrim it. I would be happy to share any info with you. I have built a few high spec Ford single port face 3 bearing engines for use in my Historic Rally Anglia, so I have a little knowledge and I would always use Forged pistons if you are looking for high revs. They are very accurately balanced straight out of the box and allow you, within reason, to determine the compression ratio by machining the crowns.
Keep in touch
Geoff
Geoff McGladdery

This thread was discussed between 15/04/2006 and 19/04/2006

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