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Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?
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Author:  timk225 [ Thu Jul 09, 2026 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?

I'm working on a 1986 truck 225 that'll go into my 1973 Duster. Just looking for sources or the best rebuild parts. Flat top pistons, tri metal bearings, moly rings, etc. I know Fel-Pro has the complete gasket set. Was thinking of some ARP rod bolts too, just to help ensure it stays together on the occasional 5000 rpm run.

What are the popular rebuild parts these days and where to order from?

Author:  mcnoople [ Thu Jul 09, 2026 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?

What are your goals? Give us some info and we can give some suggestions.

Stuff like retaining the hydraulic valvetrain or swapping to mechanical valvetrain will matter. Is it a build for an auto or a manual trans?

Felpro isn't exactly the "best" gaskets, but they are available and usually fit correctly. Most prefer the costly but better "remflex" intake gaskets. There are improved styles of valve cover gasket available, but I don't know if they are made for the hydraulic 1981+ head.

If you NEED to bore the engine the piston AND ring set that are available combined with what the machinist says is needed to clean up the bores will determine what pistons are the best fit/suggestions. This also applies to rod/crank bearings. If you have to machine then you have to machine to a size that you can source before you machine it.

Tells us your goals and we can give you a bunch of suggestions and most of the people that are still active on here (that will give suggestions) are grounded and realistic. This isn't a forum full of people that try to spend other people's money for them the way some places are.

But once again what are the goals for the build and the car.

Author:  Rick Covalt [ Thu Jul 09, 2026 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?

If you use ARP bolts be sure and have the rods resized. If you are only seeing 5000rpm once in a while you will be fine with stock rod bolts.

Author:  SlantSixDan [ Fri Jul 10, 2026 12:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?

If I were building an engine today, I would almost certainly use old-stock major-brand parts. The quality of auto parts is really in the toilet these days, even for high-volume parts for recent-model cars – much worse for low-volume, low-profit parts for oldies.

Author:  Greg Ondayko [ Fri Jul 10, 2026 12:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?

No need for arp rod bolts.

Stock ones will work fine for you.
Arp bolts are fine for Mains and Heads, but again linkley not needed on your engine.
If you decide you need arp bolts the 340 / la small block bots will fit the rods with less fuss..rods still need to be resized/ checked after installing these parts.


Greg

Author:  volaredon [ Fri Jul 10, 2026 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Current best rebuild parts, pistons rings bearings?

I see you are in Illinois. Your first hurdle will be finding a machine shop.
I finally found one all the way down in rantoul. I took them 2 complete engines in pieces last Friday. Any were an hour+ away from me in any direction.
Used to be 3 within 10 miles of me. There is one left within that 10 miles. They don't advertise. I found out they are still around by chance and was told in April that they would take my engine in 3 months. A week before the 3 months was up I went by and now they tell me late fall. Really? So I went shopping again for someone else.

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