Hairline crack on piston skirt

[Mishakol129]

Hey all. I was just about to start completing my very first rebuild when I dropped a piston on the engine stand. This was after a failed attempt at putting it in the bore. The piston shot out of the bore when I shoved it out. (I shoved it back out b/c I failed at the ring compression.) Should have saved it with my knee but forgot to.

I discovered that when I went to put the piston back into the bore, the skirt wouldn't quite fit properly. But I managed to put it in anyway. Later I found that the crank was binding and so I suspected that piston to have been the culprit. Sure enough, I looked, and found a hairline crack on the skirt of the piston. It runs through the center and is about 1' and a 1/2 long.

What I want to know now is whether or not I should get 4 new pistons or just replace the 1 that is cracked. I don't want any opinions I just want facts. Should I be concerned that the other 3 pistons will fail on me?
Will it be better to have 4 of the same pistons rather than just 3?



I really would like to only replace the cracked 1 for money / time / effort purposes, but I want to be sure that my engine will last and not have any problems so I am asking you guys on here.


Sorry if this has been a long read.

Thanks,


Misha.

[92smokeaccord]

change the one piston and make sure you didnt mess up the cylinder wall..

[deevergote]

I don't know that I'd classify internal engine work as a "beginner" topic. Please leave stuff like this for the "big boy" forums, so the noobs have a chance for their beginner questions to be seen before they get pushed to "page 2"... and lost forever.

[wed3k]

get one piston but you also need to have the skirt and the weight to be close to the other three.

[Mishakol129]

I don't know that I'd classify internal engine work as a "beginner" topic. Please leave stuff like this for the "big boy" forums, so the noobs have a chance for their beginner questions to be seen before they get pushed to "page 2"... and lost forever.

well I am a beginner too, only been working on the thing for not even a year

probably spent much more time on it then most though.

[Mishakol129]

change the one piston and make sure you didnt mess up the cylinder wall..

yeah, I checked the wall it looked fine.

Yesterday Napa said they could get a single piston but b/c of the holiday it won't be till monday or tuesday that it arrives.

[bobbycos]

change the one piston and make sure you didnt mess up the cylinder wall..

get one piston but you also need to have the skirt and the weight to be close to the other three.

follow this advice and you will be good