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Author
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Topic: Thread on Probe Pistons...
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 2694
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 11-16-2003 01:20 PM
   
In summary, a builder who has had troubles with them gets into a debate with the head honcho at Probe... http://bbs.hardcore50.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&postid=106871#post
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Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 6405
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 11-16-2003 01:47 PM
The guy from Probe can say what he wants, but when more people that have Probe pistons complain about them than praise them, the fact is, their stuff is junk. When he said Ross makes their custom pistons for them, call and ask Ross about it. KK's brother just had some pistons that were designed by an outside source that were made by Ross that went to he!!. When he called Ross, the salesman on the phone flat out told him that when a company orders something from them and gives them the specs they want, they build it even if they know it is wrong and will fail. Personally, I would take a set of KB hypers (which I do not like at all) over any Probe piston having heard the horror stories from Probe piston owners.
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bluestreek
Gearhead Posts: 1724
From: Athens,GA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-16-2003 06:21 PM
Enjoyed the discussion, Mike.It's funny how the pistons almost always get blamed and not the engine builder or tuner. When building a race engine, you have to TRY and set them up for the most extreme condition they might encounter and hope it never sees the limit. Most shops don't do this. Different pistons can have totally different characteristics and the machinist must be very familiar with them and feel comfortable knowing how to set the block, rings, and pins up for each type and particular usage. Personally, I would rather have pistons a little loose and the rings gapped a little wide than having everything set up tight and taking a chance on seizing up when ran hot or lean. I have the Probe pistons in my 331 and haven't had any breakage, oil usage, or even blow by. But then again, I wouldn't expect this $400 set of pistons to hold up to extreme pressures and temps like a $1000 set would. I figure I got what I paid for.  ------------------
1966 Mustang Coupe: Custom glass hood and BIG scoop sits atop a 289 stroked to 331 c.i., Steel crank, rods and girdle, TFS alum. heads, Stealth 8020 intake, Xtreme 274 Solid Roller, Holley 750 HP, long tubes, 4speed, 9" 3.50 posi.
11.86 @ 116 mph (7.62 @ 93 mph)daily driver!
DanH
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kid vishus
Gearhead Posts: 6405
From: middle of NC
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 11-16-2003 06:33 PM
Ask Mike what he thinks of the Probe pistons he has.
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 2694
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 11-16-2003 07:04 PM
Well, I did a search for my thread titled "I'm starting to hate this engine" but it appears to have been deleted.I have absolutely nothing good to say about my Probe pistons. (purchased in 1996 BTW) They WERE custom ordered for a 302 using 289 length connecting rods and Twisted Wedge heads... but the pistons were over 0.050" down in the hole at TDC, and the pins weren't even of consistent thickness. One wall would be way thicker than the other... SIGNIFICANTLY so. Probe says they don't make custom pistons, but these have 'Probe' writtn on their undersides in raised letters. Maybe after too much bad press, they decided to QUIT making such items, and stick to 'shelf' pistons. Oh well... I'm not going to get started again. Okay, I found the 'I hate this engine' thread. https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/004194.html and here's one on semi-recent progress... https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/005912.html ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220 [This message has been edited by n2oMike (edited 11-16-2003).]
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V8 Thumper
Gearhead Posts: 4652
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 11-16-2003 07:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by kid vishus:
Ask Mike what he thinks of the Probe pistons he has.
That was my next question! Mike, I recall some dome/chamber clearance issues you had while mocking up your 331... what all came of that? Probe 'seems' to have a bad rap among some, and yet others (like Dan) are 100% satisfied. Just my $.02, but I'd think that a guy forcing 30 psi into a motor would pop for the high end pistons and not the 'good choice' street/strip product. Heck, I sprung for JE's and I don't even spray my motor! Not having run Probe's product I can't speak from experience, the failures noted in at least some applications seem to be poor choices by the builder, not necessarily the product's integrity. All that being said, my next motor will have JE pistons in it as well. THAT product I can vouch for  ------------------
1965 GT coupe, 333ci aluminum headed/solid cammed stroker, four speed, 3.70:1 9" All Blue Oval, no blue bottle
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/V8Thumper.html
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 44935
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
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posted 11-16-2003 07:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by n2oMike:
Well, I did a search for my thread titled "I'm starting to hate this engine" but it appears to have been deleted.
Nope: https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/004194.html ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '70 Mustang Convertible - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 2694
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 11-16-2003 08:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by V8 Thumper:
That was my next question! Mike, I recall some dome/chamber clearance issues you had while mocking up your 331... what all came of that?
I turned the block around on the engine stand until the pistons were facing down... then used a die grinder to massage the domes a bit. I created a little fire slot by the spark plug while I was at it. I just want to hurry up and get it started so it will blow up... and allow me to build a stroker 351W. I'm going to beat the living sh*t out of this thing!!!!! If it goes, it goes... If it blows, it blows. Now if I could just get a little motivation to go and turn wrenches on that d*mn thing... ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220 [This message has been edited by n2oMike (edited 11-16-2003).] [This message has been edited by n2oMike (edited 11-16-2003).]
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Buster
Gearhead Posts: 1553
From: Hurricane alley
Registered: May 2002
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posted 11-16-2003 09:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by n2oMike:
I'm going to beat the living sh*t out of this thing!!!!! If it goes, it goes... If it blows, it blows. Now if I could just get a little motivation to go and turn wrenches on that d*mn thing...
Ouch, Mike I've had engines drive me nuts before, but that one has abused the privilege.
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thumpin cat
Gearhead Posts: 495
From: Santa Barbara, California
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 11-17-2003 04:39 AM
Mike, thats the same mentality i have with the engine i am building right now, nothing wants to work correctly. I cant wait to finnish this thing and and hear the famous "knock" as the bearings spin. Then its time to build a 408 stroker.
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CHIPSBAD67
Gearhead Posts: 396
From: LOU,KY;USA
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 11-17-2003 06:08 PM
i like my dss pistons so far. liked my old stock trw factory forgings that came in the 5.0. dont know a thing about probe. they supposedly have one of the best 347 stroker kits on the market with the piston pins that dont intersect the oil rings.------------------
306, 4speed, 4.11's....best 1/8 mile 7.58 at 92mph with 1.72 60ft. PUMP GAS/NO ADDERS/STREET TIRES
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69_sportsroof
Gearhead Posts: 223
From: Camino Calif (yeah, it does snow here)
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 11-18-2003 01:52 PM
I'm going to beat the living sh*t out of this thing!!!!! If it goes, it goes... If it blows, it blows. All right Mike always new you were a real racer...........Jay ------------------
ALL THROTTLE NO BOTTLE !
.....proudly keeping the neighbors mad for over 30 years
Run what ya brung, and hope like hell ya brung enough
69 sportsroof(351 C)
65 Ranchero(200)now 351W
72 Ln 700 (361)
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