Vick Auto Flat top pistons

[fiatmike124]

I havent seen any posts on here regarding these particular pistons. Vicks sells them as pop-up pistons and they claim that they replaced their 4mm dome pistons. They are very similar to stock except that they are taller and have smaller valve reliefs which makes a standard 2.0 and interference motor. The extra compression height actually puts them approximately 0.65mm proud of the block deck on a stock 2.0 motor. My cylinders were overbored to to accomodate 84.4mm and my head has stock size valves and was resurfaced about 0.004". I have just installed these and have a question regarding head gaskets. I calculated the static CR using mostly actual numbers and assumed a gasket crush of about .008". Using the Goetze gasket I am getting a CR of about 9.25:1 and a squish of 0.032". If these number prove to be fairly accurate, does anyone see a problem with the CR or the low squish in an otherwise stock set-up? I read that the target squish is 0.035-0.045. If the squish is not enough, I would consider a 1.83mm gasket that crushes to 1.7 that would give me about 9.1:1 and squish of about 0.041" which is pretty much what I was going for. Also, where can I get such a gasket? Thanks, Mike

[SLOSpider]

Where did you get your engine work done at? I may be in need of a shop. Bayless shows a gasket a bit thinker .075 . I would take a little less compression for street use and be on the safe side. Have you dry fitted the head with clay on the piston reliefs to make sure there are no valve to piston issues.

[fiatmike124]

Thanks forthe reply slospider. I used Mark DeGroff's in Northridge for my block work and crank polishing. He was recommended by and used by Santo's Italian Car Service. I am leaning toward a thicker gasket but not decided yet.

I have not put the head on and check the valve reliefs but I accept the fact that it is definitely not a non-interference motor any more. Even if these pistons were standard height, the reliefs arent deep enough to clear fully extended valves. I realize that if I throw a timing belt, I am probably toast. Are you saying i should check with clay because there is a chance that a piston could hit a closing or opening valve as the piston approaches or moves away from the head?

[SLOSpider]

It usually done to either calculate the max valve opening to top piston and valve relief. I have seen some of Guy Crofts build via his facebook page and he has his own web site, showing him using the clay to check valve clearance.

[So Cal Mark]

I sell an MLS gasket that is 080 thick

[divace73]

It usually done to either calculate the max valve opening to top piston and valve relief. I have seen some of Guy Crofts build via his facebook page and he has his own web site, showing him using the clay to check valve clearance.

that's a nice dome mmmmmmm high compression

[fiatmike124]

Thanks Mark. I will most likely be buying one of these from you. Can you tell me what the approximate thickness is of the 0.080 gasket when compressed under a properly torqued head? Thanks, Mike

[131lover]

Hi fiatmike!
All 2l fiat Tc in Europe from-82 and on have these flattop pistons in the stock engines like 131 Supermirafiori/superbrava, Argenta,Croma!
Headgasket is 1,5mm thick and the comp is 9,3-1 and they work fine on regular pumpgas, so no need to drybuild if you have stock cams!

If you choose Marks MLS ,060" =1,5mm the engine are going to have a long and good life!

Cheers
Alf Andersson "131lover"