Can pistons be ID'd with heads off?

DavidNC

Founding Member
Sep 16, 2002
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I have a mildly built, low mile 351w w/o heads. I'm rying to identify the pistons before buying heads so I can determine the CR and correct CC size to order. The previous owner said that they are TRW forged ffycut pistons, but they don't look flycut to me. They have a large oval dish shape in them He also said his CR was 10:1 with 58cc heads. He was running gt40x heads with 1.7 RR and mentioned that they were limiting the power.

So another question would be should I switch to a 1.6 RR ratio to run if I go with 58cc Twisted Wedge heads with the larger valves. The cam is mild, he mentioned actule .554max lift measured with 1.7 RR.

Any input will help.
 
Pictures speak a thousand words. As for TRW forged pistons. I know that the stock forged pistons in a 89-92 are TRW's. They have four valve reliefs on each piston. Not sure if any of the 351's from that time line came with them. Post up a pic of them.
 
The description reads: Recessed head 0.110 in. deep. Approximate compression ratios: 8.56:1 with 69cc, 9.06:1 with 63cc, and 9.30:1 with 60.4cc head.

I know that a gt40x 58cc head was used on it before. Any rearson the larger valve twisted wedge 58cc neads can'tr be used. looks like about 9.5:1 CR. I wanted more, but what kind of power can 9.5:1 support?