'85 Piston in '86 Engine

79vwrabbit · Post by **79vwrabbit** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 4:00 pm

Has anyone put a (stock) '85 piston in an '86 barrel? Are the piston dimensions the same? I know the '86 has a recessed dome and the '85 doesn't. And I really need to know if the '86 head fits comfortably with enough squish clearance. I haven't ordered my piston yet, and I'm trying to decide if I should get an '85 piston instead of the '86. Thanks in advance.

MySpree · Post by **MySpree** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:53 pm

it works

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:18 pm

i thought that 85s were dished and 86s were domed?

chevyguyjay · Post by **chevyguyjay** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:22 pm

u r true kenny. 84-85 pistons r dished. 86-87 r dome. id get a dome piston and use a 84-85 head cause of the smaller combustion chamber. but yes, u can interchange pistons and cylinders. wont hurt anything.

uspmale · Post by **uspmale** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 8:43 pm

Yep, on all my Spree rebuilds, I use the 1986 piston.
No prblems to date.

wikked_spree57 · Post by **wikked_spree57** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:57 am

I ordered an 85 piston for my 85 I had... I got a domed one instead of dished. I did notice a difference in power, but it wasn't enough to boast about.