Farmall A: Which way does new piston face?

[Super A]

Am in the process of installing the new pistons and sleeves in my Farmall A. I got a new Tisco rebuild kit with aluminum pistons. On the old ones, it appears it didn't matter which way the pistons faced on the rod. On these new ones, there's a groove cut on the top edge of each piston, which I think is there to indicate which way it shoud face. It appears just by sight that the hole for the piston pin is offset, not centered on the piston--so I am pretty sure orientation DOES matter. There's no paperwork that says which way they should face. Should I have the groove in each piston pointing towards the front (towards #1 cylinder) or in the opposite direction? BTW the rods are labeled, and I know which way to face them, per the service manual. Just need some help "pointing" the pistons the right way....

thanks,
Al

[Gary Dotson]

Yes, generally speaking, a notch on the piston top is intended to be installed toward the front of the engine.

[Boss Hog]

To be on the safe side I would contact the manufacture , I will say that I am not a fan of Tisco


Boss

[Pabst]

I know each rod and bearing cap has a number or letter on the side face. These should be assemble on the camshaft side of the engine. I'm with Boss you should contact the manufacture for piston position. Pabst

[artc]

were the sleeves tapered enough to insert in the orings?

notch to the front, as Gary said

[Super A]

The sleeves went in slickern' snot. They had a nice taper on them, much like the ones I took out.

Thanks,
Al

[Pabst]

I just completed the overhaul on my super A and the new sleeves had good taper for the o-rings. Pabst

[artc]

the reason i asked was that last one i did had no taper at the bottom of the sleeves. i'd have to go back and look, but i think it was an A&I kit. i had to cut the bottom off an old sleeve, polish it up, and use it as a lead in for the new sleeves.