I'm resurrecting my 1958 Edsel Ranger after it was parked for 24 years. It has the original 361 FE engine. I found 2 broken rings when I took it apart and the piston grooves are worn beyond spec so I'm going to need a new set. Egge Pistons has them but they run $655. Does anyone know of a substitute 360/390 piston. That would work? They both have the same 4.05 diameter, but the Edsel piston had a 1.828 compression height (10.5:1), full skirt and a flat top - no valve reliefs at all. The 360/390 that I've seen all seem to have lower compression heights and dished or grooved tops. I'm going to be loosing some compression with the thicker replacement head gaskets anyway but don't want to end up below about 9.5:1.
I'm not sure if the 352 pistons would a whole lot cheaper than the 361 pistons. Both would be considered a slow moving item. When I put together a 352 around 1990 the box of cast 352 pistons were about the same price as a box of forged 350 SBC pistons. Are you going to need the block bored? If so buy the pistons 1st. This way the machine shop can fit the bores to the pistons. Keep doing your research so you only spend your money once. -Dave
As you already found out, 360 or 390 pistons aren't a good substitute if you want to maintain compression. 352 + 0.050" or 0.060" is the way to go. Sealed Power cast pistons should run about $35 a piece, give or take. Set of rings another $50 or $60. Unless your doing a high zoot build, these will work fine and give you a 100,000 trouble free miles. Check out the listing at Northern Auto Parts http://www.northernautoparts.com/part/sl-246ap60
It is hard to find 361 Edsel pistons but there several listing on Ebay for sivolite or sealed power 352 pistons for less than $225.
Thanks to all for the quick responses . A lot of good info here. It looks like a 352 +.050 might be a good fit. I would most likely have to special order it for that size. Will look into it.
If your engine was run for awhile with broken rings you will likely need to bore it. That can cause scoring and/or wear patterns. At least have a machine shop check the bores before you start buying parts. I just went through all this with an FE....thought I could do a quick overhaul. Ended up being a total rebuild. But at least now I know it's right.
I would check into having the block honed for 60 over 352 piston gets you a better cylinder wall and lets you use a off the shelf piston. A lisle 15000 with an 80 grit stone cuts fairly fast.
Make sure you can get the rings before you do anything. The shop in Huntington Beach I use would hone the .010” if the .060’s were to be used. If the crank is balanced with no bob weights you can get away with just getting the rod/piston combo close buy weighing each one. If not you need a good balance shop.
FWIW, I just checked the Silvolite book: 352" - 1.816" 360" - 1.760" (4 valve reliefs) 361" - 1.882" (dished) 361" - 1.882" (iron top ring groove dished 3-ring truck) 361" - 1.902" (iron top ring groove dished 4-ring truck) IIRC, the taller compression height in the 361" is to have a thicker top and keep the ring away from the heat. The dish lowers the compression back to 8:1 - 9:1. jack vines
They make special shims for ring grooves, have also heard of machining the grooves wider and using 2 thin rings. It may not be necessary to replace the pistons if the bores are not scored or worn beyond spec and the pistons not damaged other than the ring grooves. Here is an article on Total Seal spacers made for using thin rings on stock pistons for racing. They come in .030 and .046 widths. No reason you couldn't chuck your pistons on a lathe, true up the ring grooves and use the spacer with stock width rings. https://www.enginelabs.com/news/total-seals-spacers-bring-thin-ring-technology-to-wide-grooves/ More on ring spacers and how to use them https://www.ringspacers.com/ringspac.htm
Just saw this thread. I've got a really early 1958 Edsel engine I pulled about 14 years ago at a scrap yard. I think the block may be ok as is and the pistons are stock flat tops. I've also got a remanufactured 352 that's +030 and the same flat tops. (no reliefs) The 352 has never been installed. Depending where you are either one might work. Shipping is kind of out of the question. $400 for the 352 $300 for the Edsel 361 with original heads and 4v intake. Message me and we can discuss Movin/on
Are you sure the original 361 Edsel pistons are 1.828" and not 1.882" quoted from the Silvolite catalog? Are the overized pistons "de-stroked"? It's important to have the correct quench height, which usually means pistons that come up flush to the cylinder block deck.
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