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WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

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Old 04-19-2009, 11:54 AM
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Car: 1990
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

they are all over the net selling complete sets of pistons for 305's and rings for less than 100.00 a set, including as much as .60 over.
what is up with them are they going out of business or are they just junk?
and what is the difference between pistons made for engines up ti 86 and after 86?
im looking for an inexpensive way to bore out the old 305 - got to keep the original block numbers to keep the smog ****'s happy here in cal.
do these stats look right?
Bore diameter- 3.736"
Comp ratio- 9.0:1
Comp height-1.540"
Pin diameter- 0.9275"
the price is almost too good to be true - so it probably isn't.
and can we actually go .60 or .40 over?
Old 04-19-2009, 12:10 PM
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Car: 1990
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Re: WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

i found this article on zollner http://wicanzayu.wordpress.com/2009/...utionary-tale/ and apparently they make stock gm pistons or at least design them.
i also found this one on them http://www.automotix.net/autorepair/...guide-434.html
no place do they say they are dumping the pistons - maybe its because no one wants .40 pistons for a 305 or .60 over for a 305 truck motor, but i dont know the answer.
what i do know is that i have to rebuild mine and if i can go .40 over or .60 over and pay less than 100 for the pistins and rings and then put a set of 601 heads on - and all for under 300.00 im a happy boy.
any help will be appreciated. no one has written much about zollner here yet but someone has to know.
Old 04-19-2009, 12:16 PM
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Re: WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

it looks like zollner is shutting its doors - is that why they are so cheap? http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...,6534186.story
no they are not race pistons but where else can you apparently get stock replacement pistons 40 or 60 over, with rings, for less than 100.00?
Old 04-19-2009, 05:05 PM
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Re: WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

Originally Posted by tony_cogliandro
it looks like zollner is shutting its doors - is that why they are so cheap? http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...,6534186.story
no they are not race pistons but where else can you apparently get stock replacement pistons 40 or 60 over, with rings, for less than 100.00?
any information would be helpful. any one know why these are so cheap?
Old 04-19-2009, 07:31 PM
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Re: WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

i know that no one is responding, but in case you want to know there appears to be a fight for market share going on. e-bay is awash with pistons all for under 100 a set. speedpro - 88.00 a set. zollner - 80.00 a set.
does anyone know what is going on?
it appears that they are flooding the market with 305 and 350 pistons.
someone here has to know something about this.
Old 04-19-2009, 09:04 PM
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I can't say I've ever followed OEM suppliers very closely. But, from what you linked, it appears only the Ft Wayne facility is closing down.

Lower prices is the free market's way of compensating for (i.e., punishing) over-production. It always works - unless the government gets involved.
Old 04-20-2009, 01:14 AM
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Re: WHAT IS WITH ZOLLNER PISTONS?

Originally Posted by tony_cogliandro
i know that no one is responding, but in case you want to know there appears to be a fight for market share going on. e-bay is awash with pistons all for under 100 a set. speedpro - 88.00 a set. zollner - 80.00 a set.
does anyone know what is going on?
it appears that they are flooding the market with 305 and 350 pistons.
someone here has to know something about this.
Maybe they are trying to clear stock of parts that are no longer moving. I mean for the most part these engines have been out of production for 7 years even in trucks and since 93 in cars. It would not suprise me the least amount to see most of the stock parts for these engines fall out of production over the next few years.
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