I consider myself lucky to have gotten a weight matched set of 5 Mahle pistons with rings for $675 about 2 years ago. I also changed the liners. Because I had to have the liners both bored and honed anyway, I suspect Larry was right in suggesting that new liners+std pistons was a waste of money vs. oversize pistons and bore and hone liners in place. However, I saw 1 thing during the liner replacement that gave me pause. The liner in #1 bore had very prominent carbon tracking on the OUTSIDE diameter of the liner. The only way I can figure that happened is the block/liner tolerance stackup combined with carbon buildup in the combustion chamber forced combustion gases through what must have been a pretty small gap. If the liner was bored any thinner, I wonder if it could present a problem.

Anyway, I think this is an area where there is no right answer. If the cost of pistons continues to rise quickly though, more pistons will end up being reused. I still think there's a market for a ring set that will fit pistons with reworked ring lands.

__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

Larry,

Just currious- are all your data points OM616 engines? My point being, the Turbo'd 617 engines have oil cooling jets which may greatly extend the piston life through better cooling of the piston.

Guess I'm lucky- all my engines right now have low hours, so rebuilding looks like a distant memory.

Michael

__________________
Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E