You can bore pre 63 blocks up to 0.125", but might want to sonic check first. sometime in 63 casting techniques improved and the blocks were cast a little thinner, don't know how much. 0.040" was a common over size -- I have a new set of pistons that size stashed away somewhere (but they may be flathead pistons... will have to look). Those engines will show no wear at all at the top and have as much as 0.020" wear at the bottoms on the sides due to the long stroke. You can use the aluminum engine head on the iron block, but the standard iron head is about 1/8" to narrow on the right side for the aluminum block. I've seen one with a 1/8" steel bar pinned to the side of the head to make if fit though. ----------------- Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:22:56 -0700 (PDT) From: JOE FULTON <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx> Judging from the marks on top of the pistons, they have been bored .040 oversize. How far oversize can you bore a 196? And can you get pistons for .060 oversize? I might save this motor, minus the head to substitute for an aluminum 196 in my 63 classic wagon, if that aluminum engine turns out to be junk. -- Frank Swygert Publisher, "American Motors Cars" Magazine (AMC) For all AMC enthusiasts http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html (free download available!) _______________________________________________ Amc-list mailing list Amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list