66 is accessible prior to attaching or welding upper portion 66 to lower portion 68 gallery 82 has a lower portion 82 a having a radial extent and an upper portion 82 b having a radial extent that is less than the radial extent of lower portion 82 a lower portion 82 a extends radially from a radial distance from the central axis of piston 18 and upper portion 82 b extends radially from a radial distance that is further from the central axis of piston 18 than lower portion 82 a because upper portion 82 b follows the contour of combustion bowl 24 because upper portion 82 b follows the contour of combustion bowl 24 the uppermost portion of portion 82 b of gallery 82 may be located at a distance equal to the wall thickness of combustion bowl 24 from top surface 64 of combustion bowl 24 the position of the uppermost portion of portion 82 b enables top groove 50 to be in a closer position at distance b from top surface 64 than is possible in conventional piston designs as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow positioning top groove 50 at distance b provides an advantage in that heat travels a shorter distance in piston 18 before reaching a cooling fluid than in a conventional piston design the faster access to a cooling fluid reduces heat buildup in piston 18 decreasing the stress on piston 18 which therefore increases the life of piston 18 oil splash from connecting rod 46 goes through a plurality of piston passages 84 into gallery 82 and then back out piston passages 84 into lubricated portion 22 hollowing out the interior of a conventional piston to form a gallery similar.