Slantsix64
Well-Known Member
Hey guys I’m missing a set of piston wrist clips, can I just use c clips or snap ring clips from harbor freight that fit?
Magnum flat tops pistons missing piston clips
- Thread starter Slantsix64
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Magnum pistons were not full floating, Are you using some other piston choice/ brand for a piston that has provisions for a clip?
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
Harbor Freight is my first choice, I buy all my engine assembly hardware there... 
Slantsix64
Well-Known Member
The pistons came with the clips they are engine tech 3004 flat tops. They do have the grooves for the clips. The rods are from a 1995 magnum 5.2.
The machine shop didn’t put the clips in
The machine shop didn’t put the clips in
Slantsix64
Well-Known Member
Maybe they are not needed? I called the machine shop and they said they’ll call me back
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
If the pins are a press fit in the rod the clips are not needed/used... If the rods are bushed & the pin floats the clips need to be used...
The proper clip is a spiral-loc
The proper clip is a spiral-loc
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Call the machine shop and verify if the rods are pressed or floating. But to answer your direct question, no do not use hardware store c clips as circlips. Call the piston manufacturer and ask them to send you a set.
Slantsix64
Well-Known Member
yep after doing research they need the clips, they have the groove for them!
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
Having the groove doesn't mean they need the clips.... I'm assuming you have the piston & rod assemblies and can lay hands on them? Try pushing on the end of the piston pin... Does it move? Can you push it out of the rod easily? If yes than it need clips... If when the pin moves the rod moves with it & when the rod contacts the piston the pin no longer moves you have what are called pressed pins, they are a press fit in the rod... With pressed pins if you install clips the rod won't be able to move side to side... That will likely lead to a binding condition and either you won't be able to install the pistons & rods in the engine or if they do go together they will fail...
These clips?
Not that hard to install yourself...
As stated, the pins that you can slide in yourself NEED the Spirolocks, the ones that you cannot push in by hand do NOT.
Not that hard to install yourself...
As stated, the pins that you can slide in yourself NEED the Spirolocks, the ones that you cannot push in by hand do NOT.
MOPAROFFICIAL
If it has tits, it's a liabilititty.
Pin presses into the rod.. pistion floats.
Clips or not, if those are real 5.2 magnum rods and not 340 bushed for floating pin... they press the pin into the rod and you ignore the clip grooves.
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
99.9% agree... There is a very slim possibly the rods were opened up to accept bushings & floating pins... But if that had happened there would have needed to be a request for the extra work, significant cost that really isn't justified...
Yeah, Like MOPAROFFICAL said the engine has pressed pins & doesn't need clips...
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
The presence of a groove in the piston for a clip is NOT what determines if the clip is needed or not. It’s the relationship between the rod and the pin.
Slantsix64
Well-Known Member
Yep they are real stock 5.2 magnum connecting rods!
Slantsix64
Well-Known Member
So I’m guessing the pistons have the the groove for the clips if used with other style connecting rods?
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
Well there's your answer, no clips..
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
Exactly...
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Yup or if you open up the small end of the rod and add a bushing for floating pins.
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Not necessarily. The stock rods could be modified for floating pins.
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
Already covered, not the case...
TT5.9mag
Two atmospheres are better than one
Where was it covered? I see he said they are stock 318 rods but we don’t know if machine was done to them.
MOPAROFFICIAL
If it has tits, it's a liabilititty.
The early rods were floating..so they would use the clips. All of the later rods were basically the same rods and were press pin style.
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