How to tell if pistons are good or bad

[Compton74]

Bought a 87 turbo targa that threw a rod. It threw a rod so bad there were holes in both sides of the block. I know the rods are done (obviously), and maybe the crank, but when I get the pistons out what do I look for? And I'm not positive about the crank but from what I'm told it's probably toast, what do i look for there? I know the man the built the motor and it supposedly had a set of good .20 over pistons in it and id like to reuse them. Thanks again for all the help!

 

[IJ.]

Bought a 87 turbo targa that threw a rod. It threw a rod so bad there were holes in both sides of the block. I know the rods are done (obviously), and maybe the crank, but when I get the pistons out what do I look for? And I'm not positive about the crank but from what I'm told it's probably toast, what do i look for there? I know the man the built the motor and it supposedly had a set of good .20 over pistons in it and id like to reuse them. Thanks again for all the help!

Why are you trying to save any of it?

Define "good" pistons?

If they're nice forged pistons the cost to replace a single one might be prohibitive.

 

[Compton74]

Why are you trying to save any of it?

Define "good" pistons?

If they're nice forged pistons the cost to replace a single one might be prohibitive.

This motor came out of supra stated above, and I put a new gte in it. So I have this lying around and was wondering if there is anything that can be saved or re-used. But I understand the reasoning you have about cost

 

[hvyman]

Only thing that is prolly worth saving is everything except the block head and anything in-between.

 

[IwantMKIII]

^exactly what he said. Why even bother risking any use in the future? Cast pistons are relatively cheap, buy new. Consider the old ones cool paper weights with a story to go along with them.

 

[Kai]

If its a stock engine - don't bother. Just get a new set of cast slugs. They're not exactly expensive and it's a false economy to try and re-use anything from your bottom end. The crank *might* be serviceable, but i doubt it.

 

[IwantMKIII]

^He blew two holes in his block. I don't think even a stressed *might* is applicable lol

 

[Poodles]

Crank is going to be eaten, rods are fubar, pistons beat on the valves, head got beaten by piston, and a hell of a lot of metal going through the engine.

MAYBE the other rods/pistons are salvagable, as well as the valves from the other cylinders. Honestly, I don't think it's going to be productive as all the parts will have to be checked over with a fine tooth comb...