The article discusses the most important changes in the construction of permanent mould casting machines, as well as the method of casting engine pistons and their construction on the example of Federal-Mogul (FM) Gorzyce. The system of automatic cooling of the presently used permanent mould casting machines coupled with robots which pour the liquid alloy ensures uniform crystallization of the pistons and optimal efficiency of the casting process. As a result of the necessity to improve the engine efficiency and thus reduce the fuel consumption and harmful substance emission, the construction of the pistons has changed as well. The piston castings, which are produced by gravity casting for metal moulds, have undergone a diametric transformation. Typical piston designs for gasoline and Diesel engines are shown together with the most important parts of the piston, the crown (combustion chamber) and the guide part (skirt). Depending on the type of engine, the present pistons characterize in differently shaped crown, a slimmed internal construction as well as component participation (cooling channels and ring inserts), and the piston skirts undergo surface treatment procedures.