Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd and Autumn,


Clip / Retainer come out and the pin slid out? What type of circlips were used? At what RPM did the thing come unwound? Bummer for sure.:(

You guys be tough and hang in there. Adversities makes one tougher, but it surely gets tedious at times.;)


Regards,
HB2:)
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Thanks, responded.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Mark, what would you like to see?
https://i.imgur.com/rGpFdadh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ApgaKLPh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tXRKsoeh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Yes, Kramm-Lox, 5500 rpm.
https://i.imgur.com/6T9CF0ph.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Camshaft is on a 2 day trip to California.
https://i.imgur.com/gPtbPggh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Todd,


Did the clip break the end off of one end? What did the end of the pin look like? Such as did it ride on the cylinder wall a bit before it cocked in the piston and jerked in out of shape?:(


An old guy's inquiring mind would like to know.;) Thanks in advance.



Regards,
HB2:)
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Lock never broke, it was pushed out, pin was on the cyl wall and pulling on one side of the piston so it was jammed up in there. And yes, all of the locks were measured to make sure they had the correct groove size. before install.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

....Why I asked about the pistons..Should have mentioned the bottoms..not the tops ;-)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Obviously the one that broke had no lock but another had no lock and the pin was out and about to break that piston too, both locks in the oil pan. Also should mention that the correct pins with the chamfer for this type of lock were also in use here.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I’ve never seen or used those pin locks.

My own engine in my dragster has Diamond pistons and spiral locks the std. used for many years. Single or double and I’ve never had one break or come out.

It was s.o.p. to verify the pins had some clearance or movement between the locks. Every piston I assemble, I check to be sure the pin can rotate freely in the piston without binding on the locks.

Obviously something way wrong with the lock, piston, pin arrangement.

That was a real bad mess and should not have happened given they were all good name brand parts.

Years ago we used a snap ring type pin lock. Spiral locks became the normal lock usually used. The locks tend to dig into the groove and raise up a burr but unless they were not installed right, rarely failed.

Very ugly mess. I’ve seen plenty of blown up engines. It’s never pretty and always expensive.

Sorry to see it ....