FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW DO I ORDER CUSTOM PISTONS?

You can download a copy of our custom order form in the support section of our site, then either call us directly (310) 536-0100 (+13105360100) to place an order or email it to us at sales@rosspistons.com.

WHAT IS THE DELIVERY TIME ON CUSTOM PISTON ORDERS?

Current delivery times vary during the season. Please call in advance for lead times. Once your pistons have shipped, please allow an additional 4-5 working days for UPS delivery.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept most major credit cards, Paypal, ACH and Wire Transfers. Please note there is a 3.5% processing fee for all credit card orders. A custom order requires a 50% deposit, with the balance due before shipping. A personal check is accepted as a deposit only, however the order will be held until the check clears. Unless your order is paid in full before we ship, all shipments will be sent via UPS, Money Order or Certified Check only. NO EXCEPTIONS unless you are a legitimate business who has filled out our Company Check Accepted form and have been approved by our credit department.

WHAT PISTONS BORE SIZES DO YOU OFFER?

The smallest bore we manufacture is 2.283″ (58mm), and the largest is up to 6.190″ (157.2mm).

PISTON IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

The forging number “XL400” For Example, does not tell us how the piston was manufactured.  We MUST have the number that is either stamped on top of the piston, or engraved on the bottom of the pin boss to identify that piston.

IS THE CLEARANCE BUILT INTO THE PISTON?

Ross pistons are manufactured with the clearances built into the pistons. For example, if you want a 4.030 bore, the piston will measure 4.026. Always be sure to give us the exact bore your block is honed to, and not the piston diameter you want.

WHAT NUMBER SHOULD I SET MY PISTON TO WALL CLEARANCE?

This information and more can be found by downloading our piston installation sheet on our Tech Support Page or by simply Clicking Here.

HOW TO I GET THE SPIROLOX INTO THE PISTONS?

Though it can be intimidating, installing and removing piston spirolox (retaining rings) is as easy as pulling the lox apart and spiral them into the groove.  Click on the image above to view a demonstration of this process.

WHAT MATERIAL DO YOU USE TO MANUFACTURE YOUR PISTONS?

All Ross Pistons are constructed using high-end, 2618 T-61 forged aluminum.  The 2618 alloy, by comparison, is a low silicon alloy but a far stronger material.  It’s considered to be the “alloy of choice”, for high boost, bottle-fed engines and serious racing, where a large amount of heat is produced in the combustion chamber.

CAN ROSS MAKE HYPEREUTECTIC OR CAST PISTONS?

No. A hypereutectic piston is a cast piston; Ross only manufactures high-end aluminum forged pistons.

CAN ROSS MAKE 2 CYCLE ENGINE PISTONS?

Currently we do not. Our material is only compatible with 4 cycle engines.

I HAVE A SET OF DIFFERENT PISTONS.  CAN ROSS RE-WORK THEM?

No. We will not do any reworking to any piston other than Ross Racing Pistons.

CAN ROSS WORK FROM A SAMPLE PISTON?

Absolutely! Please send your sample, along with our order form, to: Ross Racing Pistons | 625 S. Douglas | El Segundo, CA 90245.

Your sample MUST be clean, all rings removed, all spirolox removed, and the rod pressed off the piston.  Failure to do so will incur additional charges, and adds an additional 2 weeks to the delivery time.  Ross Racing Pistons cannot be held responsible for breakage of your piston, if we send it out to have the rod pressed off of your piston.  Please add an additional 5 working days to our normal delivery time.

HOW DO I DETERMINE WHAT IS A LEFT VS RIGHT PISTON?

For Small Block Chevy pistons and Big and Small Block Chrysler pistons, cylinder numbers 1, 4, 5 and 8 are right intake pistons, and cylinder numbers 2, 3, 6 and 7 are Left Intake pistons. To determine the proper cylinder, turn the piston dome towards you (or on a flat top, turn the piston with the valve pocket eyebrows away from you, i.e. ^ not v) and advise us which side the intake valve pocket is on.

I NEED MORE PISTONS & I HAVE THE ROSS JOB CARD NUMBER.  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM PISTON ORDER?

If the job card number begins with “8” or “9”, it is a stocking piston and you can order as few as one.  If the job card begins with any other number, it is a custom piston.  The minimum number of custom pistons we make at any one time is four.  There are no exceptions!  Also, when ordering, please specify which cylinder numbers you want.

IF I HAVE A SET OF PISTONS, NOT MADE BY ROSS AND NEED (2) MORE, CAN ROSS MAKE THEM?

No.  NOT UNLESS its a full set.  We do not manufacture replacement pistons to match other brands on lots of less than a full set.

HOW DO I RETURN A SET OF CUSTOM PISTONS?

Custom pistons are not returnable for refund or credit regardless of circumstances, unless you have submitted a written purchase order, and pistons do not meet the requirements of the written purchase order.

HOW DO I RETURN A SET OF STOCKING PISTONS?

You must first, be the original purchaser of the product.  If you are not, you must go through the dealer you purchased your pistons from, and they will have to ask for return authorization.  Ross Racing Pistons will not accept any packages for return without prior authorization and issuance of an RGA number by ROSS Racing Pistons.  Please call our tech department at 310.536.0100 for an RGA number.  Our RGA is valid for 30 days only.  A 15% restocking fee will be assessed and freight credit will not be allowed on any returned merchandise or refused shipments.  Freight collect shipments will be refused.  Returned merchandise must include a copy of the original invoice or invoice number and date and our RGA number must be written on top of the package. Credit will be issued after inspection and approval of the parts for resale.  Pistons must be in “like-new” condition, or they will be returned freight COD, and no credit will be issued.

HOW MUCH LIFT WILL MY PISTONS TAKE?

In general, the valve pocket depths will provide sufficient clearance for most flat-tappet and hydraulic roller camshafts. There are many variables that will affect piston to valve clearance. Please call our technical assistance department for more information.

WHAT KIND OF RING END GAP SHOULD I RUN?

If you would like specific gap recommendations for your application, please call our technical assistance department for more information. To view our ring installation guide, please view the (Piston Install Guide) at the top of the Tech Support Page.