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.