Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines WILL 350 CHEVY PISTONS WORK IN A 181 CHEVY 4 CYL

FIXING TO DO A REBUILD ON MY 181 I-4 CHEVY AND WAS WONDERING IF 350 V-8 CHEVY PISTONS WILL WORK ? THERE A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER THAN THE 181 PISTONS.
THANKS
BOB

Do you know what the compression height is on the stock 181 pistons.

Never mind, the 181 has a 1.625" Compression height. A 350 piston is much shorter than that and will not work!

Use these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150787044922?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

They are affordable too.

Thats the same price that Summit has them for. You probably wont find them any cheaper than that.

what about a domed 350 piston to bring compression up ?

That could be one method to compensate, but then you are left with a poor quench that has its own issues. Since a 4" bore is a common bore size for V8's other than Chevy's, just look and see if there is a piston from another engine that has a compression distance closer to what you need for the 181. You might be surprised to find a better solution. I can think of (5)SBF engines and (3)SBM engines right off the top of my head that could be possibilites.

I'll narrow it down for you farther, Ford has (3)that are within .020" of the target compression height you need, you'll just need to hone the pistons out to use Chevy pins. I'll send you the bill!

what about a 327 would that fit his bill/usage?

They are actually about .030"(1.655") taller than the 181 pistons, so it might also be a candidate. Not knowing how much deck clearance the 181 has stock, it might allow a taller deck height and not have to cut pistons either. Bob, did you check to see what deck height the 181 had when it was assembled. Good call Larry!

no its all still together, I didnt want to take it down before I had a rebuild plan.I,d like to get about 160 hp out of it if possible and still have it reliable.

I have use 327 pistons in a 181 before. They will stick out of the bore. Did it for a forklift engine that ran on propane. Propane has a higher octane and is low rpm. That motor did not care.

So the stock deck height must be close to zero with a 181 piston then. The Ford piston would be a good interchange then at just a hair under the stock 181 CD, their probably cheaper than a 327 piston also if your still shopping prices. Bummer, I just tossed out a new set of the cast Ford pistons I had had for about 10 years.

Ford pistons cheaper than Chevy?

Was not that way before, have the tables turned?

MBHD

The ones for the engine im talking about has actually had more of them ever made than probably any Chevy V8, so the price for them is cheaper because of that. Other Ford pistons are probably higher though.
There is a set of(8)Ford pistons on ebay right now for $65 bucks brand new! So its basically 1/4 the cost of 181 pistons and you just get(4)of them for $133 bucks!

200HP should be doable and still have a very reliable, streetable engine.

Those pistons I spec'ed earlier are flat tops. Will be a great choice for a pump gas friendly combination.

I'm hoping for 175-200 from my 175. (153+.040" & 181 crank)

Beater, what rod and piston combo are you going to use. I need to put one of those 181 cranks in one of my aluminum blocks.

I,am looking at doint 4 mikuni carbs,trying to decide on what size to buy. there not that expensive but I would have to make 4 intake manifolds. I dont have any intake or exh. manifolds at all. hopefully for exhaust man. I can get a aluminum sbc marine like a nicson and modify it to the 181,ports seem close enough.

You can also get the Ford pistons forged cheaper than the 181 pistons that are cast if you want that option too.