Thread: Piston damage

So finally got the heads off this motor, and this isn't what I expected to find.

Is this the product of detonation? Kinda looks like something bounced around in the cylinder, but the walls look fine.

189k mi motor, pulling it apart for a failed headgasket (burnt between #1 and #3).

I'm probably stating the obvious, but this is a stopping point correct?

Originally Posted by Iceman6669

Looks for sure like something bounced around in there... Maybe the electrode came off the plug at some point or something.

thats my guess too. Probably blew out the exhaust later on

So question being then, would you throw $500 worth of gaskets and machine shop time (heads) into this and keep running it or stop and find a new motor?

I've already got all the gaskets. But I also have a line on a complete drivetrain from a W body for a good price. I could still run this motor till it dies, and have another ready to go.

yea but I wouldn't risk spending $500 dollars on that motor when you have another one lined up. just throw the other one in

what would be the issue with running that engine if the walls are untouched? do the dings effect compression?

That's where I'm torn. On a older car I had a piston smack a valve and left a little indent on the piston. Machine shop told me to file it just enough to take the sharp edge off and run it. But it wasn't anything like this.

Some of these are so close to the edge of the piston, it would be my luck I'd button it up and chip it or crack it when I'm 10 hours from home. :/