<VV> Iron pistons and oil changes

[Sethracer at aol.com]

The old Chevy stovebolt circa 1953 used cast iron pistons (and  splash
oiling).  They went to aluminum pistons and pressure oiling in  1954
IIRC. - Dave Keillor
 
1954 PONTIAC Straight 8 still had Cast Iron pistons. Some GMC diesels  did 
until the later 50's. Cosworth Vega engines had Iron plated  pistons!
 
Oil changes
 
 - On my newer vehicles, I watch the "recommended % left" on the  computer 
and change at about 15% left. And that can mean over 10K miles  between 
changes in some cases. That has, however changed my oil level checking  habits. 
I now check oil in all of my cars at a regular interval. I usually  pick a 
monthly date and check all at once. (Well, one after the other) That  is 
because the cars will use some oil between changes, and I keep a few quarts -  
different vehicles, different oils - handy for top ups. Before computers, I  
usually went to 5K for regular cars.
 
On my Corvairs, I hate to admit it but I do not change them on a  regular 
basis. That is because my mileage is so small, on my one street Corvair,  and 
the engine is being worked on - regularly - on the race car, so that  the 
oil is being "changed" on a semi-regular basis anyway! 

 
Seth Emerson