MTFCA Forum

I'm considering to replace the cast iron pistons with aluminium pistons. I can see I can choose between Grant and Hastings rings of which the Grant rings are considerably cheaper than Hastings.
What are the difference apart from price? And what are the recommendations?

I have had trouble with the oil rings not sealing with the Grant rings but not with Hastings.

The less expensive Grant rings are actually the higher quality. The ring end gaps are usually right on and the clearance in the grooves is very good.

For what its worth; for about the last twenty years most of the parts vendors have been supplying pistons in red, white, & blue boxes that have the “GN” trademark cast into them, the Grant brand rings have been a superb fit on them.

(This is my experience having built multiple engines / short blocks per year for over 20 years).

Here in the South ain’t going to use no Grant rings.

Dan, now that made me laugh! My Grandma (born in 1912) would never wear the color blue…

If I remember correctly, one of the vendor catalogues (I'm thinking Snyders) had the statement that the Hastings rings have a "higher pre-load" than the Grant rings.