Auto Service World
News   January 27, 2011   by Auto Service World

New Pistons Bring Precision and Performance to Chevrolet Small-Block


Federal-Mogul Corporation has introduced a broad line of Sealed Power pistons that apply the latest materials, designs and machining processes to the venerable Chevrolet small-block engine platform.
New Sealed Power Digital Diamond Profiled (DDP) pistons, manufactured and machined in Federal-Mogul’s original equipment piston facility in South Bend, Ind., incorporate dozens of advanced engineering and machining features to help customers achieve new levels of engine efficiency, performance and reliability.
“We approached this program with one goal: to apply the latest OE-proven piston technologies to the world’s most popular engine platform,” said Raymond King, global marketing director, engine components, Federal-Mogul. “These pistons raise the bar in virtually every area of component design and manufacturing, which in turn enables our customers to equip vintage small-block engines with advanced technology and the ultimate piston materials and designs.”
Federal-Mogul’s Digital Diamond Profiling process maintains individual piston diameters to within 16 microns across each complete set, enabling engine builders to utilize uniform bore sizes for more efficient machining and improved performance. In addition, Federal-Mogul engineers have developed sophisticated “barreled” top and bottom skirt profiles that compensate for thermal expansion and contraction, minimize wall contact and allow the piston to “roll” rather than “slap” within the cylinder, reducing noise. This unique profiling technology also helps optimize the oil wedge between the skirt and wall for exceptional durability under varying loads.
Piston skirts are further protected by Federal-Mogul’s next-generation DUROSHIELD® moly-graphite coating, which significantly reduces friction, noise, vibration and harshness. This advanced coating is atomically bonded to the substrate for lifetime protection against scuffing while significantly reducing friction.
Each Sealed Power DDP piston also features Federal-Mogul’s exclusive Thermal Arching Compensation (TAC) technology, which comprises tightly controlled ring-groove up-tilt and machining consistency to reduce oil consumption, blow-by and emissions and help extend engine life.
Sealed Power Digital Diamond Profiled pistons are cast from Federal-Mogul’s exclusive FM 425 aluminum alloy, the same material used in many of today’s most powerful new engines. This proprietary material, featuring 16 percent silicon content, permits tighter piston-to-wall clearances for improved sealing, increased power and quieter operation.
Offered in full sets as well as piston-and-ring combination kits, each is weight-matched to a tolerance of 2 grams maximum variation per set. Other important features of these pistons are:
–Fully machined bowl and valve reliefs, with crown volume tolerances held to 0.3cc
–Precisely machined pin bores that accommodate fixed or floating wrist pins and circlips
–Large pin-bore lube slots for enhanced load carrying capacity and trouble-free operation
For detailed information regarding these new pistons and to download a complete listing of available applications, please visit www.sealedpowerpistons.com or contact your engine parts provider.

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