one off pistons

[Bob Purton]

Does anyone know where I can get a one off piston made?

[cuscus47]

Hello Bob.  My son-in-law owns LN Engineering (www.lnengineering.com ) and he designs and makes his proprietory high performance parts for air-cooled engines.  He does custom make pistons.  He is currently in California on holiday and I will ask him on his return next week or you could e-mail him.  I know that typically he makes them in a minimum set of four, but anything may be possible. He has made pistons for some of my old Packards and just completed a set for a Fiat 500 motor.  Just some preliminary info. Do you have the actual piston, or drawings?  Ian.

[Triporteur]

You could try

PETE STRATFORD

CYCLEMOTOR & AUTOCYCLE SPARES

136 WINDLEY ROAD

LEICESTER

LE2 6TB

0116 2832070

He gets them made for cyclemotors, so I assume is used to doing one-offs on small engines

[Bob Purton]

Hi Ian. That sounds hopeful ! I have the piston, its from an Ydral L49 175cc 62mm diameter, its the old problem of worn ring grooves plus seizure damage.  This as you may have guessed is for my Inter, I have another a piston in it at present that I widened the grooves to get a uniform width and then fitted wider rings but the results were not very good, I would like to go a size up and re-bore. Would he be able to supply fitted with pins and rings? I could supply him with a set of Lambretta TV 175 plus .20 rings so he could cut the grooves to fit. If you could have a word with him for me on his return I would appreciate it. A small batch would be OK if the price was right. Thanks, Bob


Triporteur...Thanks , the name rings a bell, I think I asked him before but will have a word... Bob

[cuscus47]

Hello Bob:  I know that the pistons come complete with the rings and pin. I'll talk to him about it when able.  Ian.
ps. I'll forward your reply as well.

[Bob Purton]

Thanks Ian. I just looked at the web site and nearly fainted at the quoted prices although I appreciate the making of them must be quite involved and costly. I'm hoping that the old pals act may spawn a discount! Shall I forward you a photo of the piston?

[cuscus47]

Bob:  Let's wait and see what he comes up with.  He is very fair, and may have some other ideas. His products are mainly aimed at the high-end Porsche market, but has done a lot of work with Corvairs, VWs, Hafs, etc. whose owners do not have a lot of money. I have just this present e-mailed him.  I'll let you know or he will e-mail you directly.  Ian.

[Bob Purton]

Thanks, Ian.

[Bob Purton]

Hi Ian ,I had a reply from son in law but the cost of a set of four pistons when I only want one is not realistic, it would be about £500 for 4 pistons of which I only want one , I tried to rouse some interest amoungst other ydral engine users but despite the fact that they bleet on how they can find the pistons, will not put there hands in there pockets and pay £125 for one. Amazing! Thanks for trying to help.... Bob

[cuscus47]

Hello Bob:  I talked to Charles at lunch today and he said that he had replied to you.  The Pound is weak right now against the US Dollar, just a few months ago it was over $US2.00 for £1.00 but not right now.  Maybe when it comes down, (up to you Brits.), it maybe more feasible.  I am still working on him to give a discount to Club members (any club). His products are the best and most likely will be the only one you'll ever need, so there is no sense in having three extras. For economy of scale he must make at least four at any given time.  If he has any other peculiar orders for singles or twins, similar enough to machine yours I'm sure he'll let me or you know.  Ian.

[Bob Purton]

Thanks Ian. Keep working on him! If I can find just two orders from others I would go for it. Lets wait and see if anyone comes back to me.

[Bob Purton]

Just found this company in Australia who claim to make unobtainable "one off" pistons for vintage cars and motorcycles. I will let you know how my enquiries go as it may be of use to other rumsters, or am I the only nutter who takes on these projects?   http://www.jp.com.au/Specials.html

[Bob Purton]

Just had some good news that I'm bursting to share! Club Ydral have found me a brand new piston for my Ydral L49 and for a reasonable price too. Only problem is that It comes without rings so now I must find some rings for a 62.5 dia piston 3mm wide. Any ideas?

[Bob Purton]

My NOS ydral piston arrived today complete with a set of rings, pin and circlips. Deep joy! Thank you to those who tried to help before this gem turned up. I'm hoping that this along with a rebore will make my Inter perform as well as my first one which probably has not even been started let alone driven since BW acquired it!