Overheating or oil loss or both

Here is a picture of one of my stock Pistons. Are these scuffs from overheating or oil loss or both? How do I prevent this in the future? I change my oil every 2000 miles, have a oil cooler installed (was installed before-may not be effective?). I'm going on a 1300 mile trip at the beginning of May so wondering if a new cooler is required as it is going to be run long and hard.

Doesn't look good. Any mods? Pods and a header mean it could be running lean. K&N's don't filter out dirt as well as the stock filter so that could be a factor if applicable.

Sloppy fit? Detonation? Not high compression. Shouldn't need a cooler.
Steve

These were the old pistons from the kz1000 build project that is now complete (see build thread). I was talking some friends at the bar about piston scuffing. One used to race in Europe and said that higher up piston scuffing is generally a heat issue and lower scuffing is from oil deprivation. I didn't think that made any sense but I am usually dull when it comes to mechanics. Now that it has the RS34s i dont think i could make the stock airbox work (i dont even have one). The previous owner didn't seem to care for it as there was a great deal of wear on the cam lobes. Oil passages looked clean when rebuilt. If running a 1075 it shouldnt need an oil cooler Steve? Def not detonation, compression was within spec before rebuild (bottom of limit but not sure of number now).

*all the pistons have these scuffs

Id say it suffered from neglect from previous owner.As far as the oil cooler goes Id say it depends on your area and the weather you ride in .

DobbinsCMA wrote: These were the old pistons from the kz1000 build project that is now complete (see build thread). I was talking some friends at the bar about piston scuffing. One used to race in Europe and said that higher up piston scuffing is generally a heat issue and lower scuffing is from oil deprivation. I didn't think that made any sense but I am usually dull when it comes to mechanics. Now that it has the RS34s i dont think i could make the stock airbox work (i dont even have one). The previous owner didn't seem to care for it as there was a great deal of wear on the cam lobes. Oil passages looked clean when rebuilt. If running a 1075 it shouldnt need an oil cooler Steve? Def not detonation, compression was within spec before rebuild (bottom of limit but not sure of number now).

*all the pistons have these scuffs

I'd get an air box. This is what I did with my 33's and silicon hose.


My stock Z1 air box wouldn't work so I got a KZ 900 air box, opened up the holes to fit larger boots I made out of silicon hose.
You have an oil cooler. I'd use it. My 903 barrels use to over heat with the 1015 kit and when I had a oil problem, I bought KZ 1000 barrels and pistons on eBay. Tight fit but the KZ barrels cool better. With the 903's, I hear pinging when it got hot and had to use premium gas. The KZ set up isn't as tempermental. I have stock KZ pistons in it waiting to buy one 10.25 Wiseco piston to replace the one I lunched. My fault. I didn't clean the viewing window and ran it dry. Sh*t.

I was burning oil due to bad valve seals and "Bone head" drove it home. STUPID.
All it took was carb cleaner, Q tips and 20 minutes to clean it.
I lost my adapters for my cooler in the fire but will put one on when I can.
BTW, with the KZ set up and 10.25 pistons, I was still able to run regular gas.
If the cam lobes were worn, the PO didn't change or use good oil. I'd bet piston slop was there too.
No respect.
Steve

What is piston slop caused by?

Too loose inside the bore. I think the previous poster was right. Neglect. In any case, if your bore was fitted correctly, it won't happen again. Love to see pics of your build.
Steve

I've seen piston scuffing like that when the owner didn't let the engine warm up before running it hard. I always try to go easy untill everything is up to temp and stable.
Now that you have a fresh engine you may want to think about using synthedic motor oil after you brake in the rings. I use Redline 10w-40 in my FJ1200 (which gets its oil very hot) and have had good results. The oil use went from a qt. every 2500 miles to just a few oz. and the shifting stayed crisp untill the next oil change.

kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/594860-kz1...d-up?start=80#658078

There are pics there. Also I haven't updated my website but there will be pictures from my May trip from Tampa to Madison Wi. Stops in Nashville, Chicago, and maybe Milwaukee.