Alfa 164 cracked piston skirt(?)

[Oldcarnutter]

Hi.
Has anyone had experience with a cracked piston skirt on a 3.0 litre 12V Busso engine? I have diagnosed one in my 164.

[ALFA 156 02]

Hi mate I haven't run Into this issue on a 3.0L 12v what fuel was the car running and was it pre-ignition that may have caused this ?

[Oldcarnutter]

I don't know. Bought it as is. When I get a few things out of the way, I shall remove the engine and dismantle enough too get the piston out.

[MD]

Piston damage usually happens upstairs around the crown, the ring lands. Detonation invariably causes holes in the crown. Valve to piston contact once again still only affects (usually) the upper piston region. A seizure will affect more than one chamber.

My conclusion is a casting defect, metallurgy failure. The 164 motor is not known for excessive piston slap.

[vin sharp]

Wait until you get it out & see for sure, it's a pretty long ask diagnosing such a thing from the outside.
I have some low kms, mint condition 3.0 pistons & sleeves available if required.