The dips**ts that did the balance job on my 355 bead blasted the pistons despite them being perfectly clean. I have read that this is a non-no but I am stuck with the results. I noticed the roughness is light, and appears to be polishing up with a brass brush. Has anyone run pistons in this condition? I think the edges will get polished off on fireup, but I also see that sometimes the glass will get embedded in the aluminum and scuff the rings. So WTF? I can clean them up to point but not sure if this is effective.

Sorry he messed you up.. Usually they tape them so they can't blast down in them...

You DON'T bead-blast ring grooves b/c they have to be SMOOTH to seal both top and bottom.. Glass SMOOTH!!!

Will the rings even fit in them and spin properly??

I don't know if you should still use them even if they fit and will spin IF they are pitted?? Probably NOT!!

Can you buy thicker rings and machine the grooves oversize to smooth them out?? Probably cost more than a new set of pistons is worth unless he does it for free to fix his MISTAKE!!

pdq67

Yeah I know about the ring land finish, luckily they didn't spend a lot of time on them and I think I can use a shoelace and some fine lapping compound to get them polished up. I'm probably being anal about it, but not taking chances.

The dips**ts that did the balance job on my 355 bead blasted the pistons despite them being perfectly clean. I have read that this is a non-no but I am stuck with the results. I noticed the roughness is light, and appears to be polishing up with a brass brush. Has anyone run pistons in this condition? I think the edges will get polished off on fireup, but I also see that sometimes the glass will get embedded in the aluminum and scuff the rings. So WTF? I can clean them up to point but not sure if this is effective.
Our shop has been glass beading piston ring grooves for years.... (only if they're dirty). Never had a single problem ever.

Most of what you're saying seems pure myth. IMO

Hope you are right Brian, but Stu if you really want to know, then ask the PRO-Machinists like BillK, Mike, (aka, Wolfplace) and Gary, (aka, GOSFAST) on the T/C Boards....

Bill's even here isn't he??

pdq67

"Our shop has been glass beading piston ring grooves for years.... (only if they're dirty). Never had a single problem ever.

Most of what you're saying seems pure myth. IMO"

THAT'S WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!! Thanks for the reply, it sounded kind of far-out but always pays to ask those with actual experience rather than BS ideas.