rebuild? new pistions and rings?

[bcgeorge]

OK here is where I'm at, headed for a rebuild due to cavitation or ???? (air in coolant is the issue) I installled short block about 20k miles ago, can I reuse the old pistions and rings? I am planning on sleeving all 8 holes, just trying to get an idea of what I need to replace. Thanks for the input
Brent

[typefour]

pistons will be fine especially if they bore to piston size not just average bore size. If you get one too loose in the bore they will have LOUD piston slap, take my word for that one.

I personally would take a chance on the rings with only 20k on them but if I was doing it for a customer I would use new.
If you do reuse them load that truck down for a good break in run.
Hows the weather up there?

[LMJD]

It's standard practice to buy a new set of rings, never use a old set of rings with a new sleeve job, but unless there's signs of scored skirts, etc, it's fine to use the old pistons. Clean the ring lands properly, and take note most all ring sets have an up and down side to most of the rings. You never reuse old (or new) pistons without fitting them first with a ribbon gauge to make sure you've got the proper piston to cyl clearance.

If a machine shop is doing a sleeve job, they no doubt will do the proper cross hatch pattern on the cly walls, so you shouldn't have to worry about that.

To be on the safe side, if you don't have an "educated feel", I'd take the rod and piston assemblies in when you pick up the block and have the guy rock the pistons back and forth to check wrist pin to rod clearance. Only takes a minute and I'd think they wouldn't charge you if they're doing the block work.

Another thing is to check your ring end-gap, it's not unheard of to have a set of rings come in the wrong box (right part number, wrong rings).