I don't know how many types of wrist pin locks there are out there, so I'll describe mine and see if anybody knows any tricks to getting them in there. They look essentially like a C and they cram into a groove in the side of the piston (CP piston). I've tried several ways to force these things in there and I have yet to get one installed. Is there a tool I need to get or something I'm missing?

Let me know if pics or a better explanation would help.

Thanks!

snap ring plyers ;)

i just used my thumbs, make sure you put the rods on facing the right way too, notches for the bearings face the exhaust side
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96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca


as needles of ice
are the ill winds' talons
the coldest of shadows
they seep unto the bone

silent souls leave .308 holes

I've tried to push it in with my thumbs, but these things are too tight. I thought snap rings had holes on the ends of them so that the pliers could grab. Here's a pic of the rings that came w/ the pistons (notice no holes to use snap ring pliers). Maybe you can still use the pliers. If so, I'll try..



Thanks!

stick the round back part in first, wedge it in, then push down the two metal tabs one at a time and be CAREFUL, ive had those fuckers fling across the room on me before
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96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca


as needles of ice
are the ill winds' talons
the coldest of shadows
they seep unto the bone

silent souls leave .308 holes

Got it. Thanks!

Now I just need to find out from CP if the pistons are asymetrical. Best I can tell they are not. There are no markings whatsoever and the valve reliefs appear to be exactly the same.

I jam the locks in with a square chopstick. This way you dont scratch the piston either.

Whichever way you install the pistons, once the shortblock is built: put a thin layer of clay on the tops of the pistons, bolt the head on hand tight temporarily, spin the crank a couple times, and make sure when you take it back off, the clay isn't smashed down to the metal anywhere.

I'm sure theres a more professional way of doing both these procedures, but that's the basics. Google it.

Originally posted by mkerley
Got it. Thanks! Now I just need to find out from CP if the pistons are asymetrical. Best I can tell they are not. There are no markings whatsoever and the valve reliefs appear to be exactly the same.

k got your back on this one too...you want to go to napa and get a micrometer, measure the inside of the pin to the outside skirt on both sides (slide one end of the meter in the wrist pin slot, flush to the side and slide the measuring bar till it touches the outter skirt of the piston, same on the other side) the short side is the exhaust side, it'll be a slight difference in measurements



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96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca


as needles of ice
are the ill winds' talons
the coldest of shadows
they seep unto the bone

silent souls leave .308 holes

thedawg:
thanks for the clay tip. I'll make sure to do that when I get there. I did google the wrist pin lock and I didn't find anything. good idea about the chopstick too. aluminum is so soft.

turbo8u:
I'm trying to picture what you're saying on the measurement. I'm guessing you mean to measure this:


I have calipers I can measure that with if that's what you're saying. I have the piston spec sheet right here in front of me as well. It doesn't specify an intake/exhaust side, but does say both i/e valve reliefs are 0.160"

Is that pic correct? If so, I'll check when I get home. Thanks Again!

i couldnt see your picture....little red x, anyway heres a crude mspaint version of what im talking about:



also, the pistons dont have any marking on them whatsoever? normally they do
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96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca


as needles of ice
are the ill winds' talons
the coldest of shadows
they seep unto the bone

silent souls leave .308 holes

OK. cool. That's what my pic showed as well. No, the pistons have no markings whatsoever. They've been coated, but I would think the markings would show through the coatings if there were any to begin with.

Huh.. my pic shows up for me? oh well.

did you figure it out?

_________
96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca


as needles of ice
are the ill winds' talons
the coldest of shadows
they seep unto the bone

silent souls leave .308 holes

Yep. I measured them and they seemed to be very close (probably within error of hand measurement w/ calipers). I called CP and turns out they are symmetric and there is no i/e side.

Thanks for all the help!

Originally posted by mkerley
Yep. I measured them and they seemed to be very close (probably within error of hand measurement w/ calipers). I called CP and turns out they are symmetric and there is no i/e side. Thanks for all the help!

hey well no harm done then :thumbsup

but for future reference, if you're not sure...measure it :)

no probs man, thanks for the points too



_________
96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca


as needles of ice
are the ill winds' talons
the coldest of shadows
they seep unto the bone

silent souls leave .308 holes

I measured it anyways just to make sure. No problem on the points, I think you earned them. Real world help is much more valuable than e-points!! :thumbsup