Refreshing Old Stroker, suggestions welcome..

[zzzhopperzzz]

Hey Wrench-heads, I've decided to update/upgrade my current stroker. It is a 1994 4.0 block, Edelbrock alum head, .030 over, 258 crank with the shorter 258 rods(mistake), stock type pistons(mistake), deck was honed .030, Yella bar rollers, Clifford 4bll intake, hd coolant rad w/push/pull fans, GM type HEI distributor, 600 Holley 4bll.. (vac sec).

I know some folks are going to flame me a bit for some of the items on the old engine list, save your breath, I'm looking for "actual" experience, not criticism... I've had bad luck with the cast hyper pistons.. I will go forged this round and will also go with the longer 4.0L rods.. Hope there are some "experienced" gear-heads that can recommend a piston for the longer rods that is durable to my lead foot.. Keep in mind the .030 deck cut, I'm thinking a dish between 21 and 26.. I've assembled upwards of a hundred of these 4.0L engines in stock form for customers, (shop owner/operator since 1985), just looking for answers to the "durable 4.0L stroker piston" question mostly.. If you have had good luck with a particular forged piston and you have a similar setup to what I am upgrading to, let me know please, Thanks!

[Cheromaniac]

My stroker's still going strong after 84k miles with 258 rods and 677P pistons so I wouldn't call yours a mistake.
That said, you can now refresh it with a set of 4.0L rods and Keith Black IC944 pistons (21cc dish). Since you've already taken 0.030" off the block deck, the pistons will end up ~0.003" above the deck at TDC and with a 0.043" head gasket, the quench will be 0.040". The SCR will be ~9.85:1 which is fine since you have an aluminum head.

[Russ Pottenger]

I offer a Forged custom piston for $495.00 a set and 6.125 steel I-beam rods that' come with 3/8 8740 cap screw rod bolts that are bushed for a full floating .927 Chevy pin for $325.00

The piston I make for the Edelbrock head typically comes with a 18cc dish allowing you to bring it to a static compression ratio to a more desirable 10.5:1 because it being a aluminum head.
But again because it's a custom piston I can make it to any configuration you would like.

Don't hesitate to shoot me an email if you'd like further information.

Thanks,
Russ Pottenger
Bishop-Buehl Racing Engines
531 N. Lyall Avenue
West Covina, California 91790
Work (626) 967-1000
Fax (626) 967-7836
Cell (626) 673-2203
Email/PayPal: [email protected]

[duck454ss]

My stroker's still going strong after 84k miles with 258 rods and 677P pistons so I wouldn't call yours a mistake.
That said, you can now refresh it with a set of 4.0L rods and Keith Black IC944 pistons (21cc dish). Since you've already taken 0.030" off the block deck, the pistons will end up ~0.003" above the deck at TDC and with a 0.043" head gasket, the quench will be 0.040". The SCR will be ~9.85:1 which is fine since you have an aluminum head.

what kind of cam are you running?
1.6 rockers is assume?
stock valves in that head?

Depending on what you have for a cam you can bump up the SCR. A stock ish cam has a slightly higher DCR compared to something with a little longer duration. The difference between a 250 duration cam and a 254 duration cam is about 0.3 on your DCR. Soooooo... if you upgraded your cam to something that would compliment that head i would bump up the compression with the new pistons. The only thing i would consider adding to this is getting pistons made to match the heads combustion chamber. if the shape of the combustion chamber and the dish are matched you can increase combustion efficiency..... wont make a huge difference but it makes a difference.

[duck454ss]

lol russ beat me too it....... Russ is who i went through for my pistons. solid guy. 18cc dish and 10.5:1 is a good point

[Cheromaniac]

I offer a Forged custom piston for $495.00 a set and 6.125 steel I-beam rods that' come with 3/8 8740 cap screw rod bolts that are bushed for a full floating .927 Chevy pin for $325.00

That's a very good deal.