Is there an easy way to tell forged from cast pistons by looking at them?
I can get a set of +60 but the person that has them doesn't know if they are cast or forged.

thank you for the help

A trained eye can tell if it's a forged piston at a glance.
Look for thin "parting lines" numbers, "crosshatch" lines and other markings under the head / inside the piston, if it has these lines or markings, it is a cast piston.
Post a pic and we can ID it.
DD

DD,
thanks for the information, probably dont have to post a pic, looked at piston, has markings where you said. Is a cast piston a bad thing for a built street/strip engine or should I look for forged?

Look at the inside of the piston around the pin bore, can you see a steel insert casted into this area?

Cast pistons with "expansion control struts" are the best and strongest.
Even without the steel "struts, cast pistons are fine for most street applications.
DD

PS, you can by a new set of cast pistons for under $80.00 so don't pay much for used cast pistons.

DD,
Thanks again, these are new pistons with moly rings, he says he want 90.00...

I just bought a set .60 Silv-O-Lite Cast Pistons for 100.80 and Hastings moly rings for 57.75 from Cox Bros. if that helps.

Do the Silv-O-Lite pistons have the steel struts?

Cecil

Hello again,
I got a picture of the pistons my neighbor wants to sell me. They are Silv-O-Lite and it appears these have the steel skirt. Take a look, now my major question is, on a modified engine(big valves,ported,milled head, bored cylinders, cam at 268 and 460, headers, etc.) Will these pistons be ok. I found a source on the net for forged but at 90.00 a pop. Is the extra $500.00 be worth it for a car that will see limited street and track duty? Please advise.

I have similar cast pistons in my '64 Dart motor - 6000 RPM and no troubles. You only need to worry if you want to go to nitrous or forced induction.

Lou

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We have a set of cast stock piston in the Simca. $86 for the whole set!