shortening piston pins?
 

for a particular reason i need to shorten my pins .082". i know pins are very hard.
there are no 'off the shelf' pins this size. and i believe this could be done cheaper than buy custom new ones.

any idea how this could be done easily?

thanks rod in AZ

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

A carbide tool bit in a lathe will cut them.....

OR....

possibly if they fit......the tipping wheel on a valve facer could be used to shorten them. Would be a tedious little operation but I think I've done it.....

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

Go only about .010" at a time, and keep the same deburr or chamfer that was on the pin to begin with.

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

The best way would be to grind them on a surface grinder in a precision V-block.

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

Rod,

Whichever way you decide to shorten them, keep in mind that depending on the type of lock that your piston uses, you may have to be very careful to match the chamfer on the end of the pin. Spiral locks require a straight end with virtually no chamfer but a lot of the newer pistons use a round wire lock that depends on the chamfer to force the wire into its groove as the pin tries to move from side to side.

Of course if the pins are press fit into the rod, then none of this matters :)

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

I've done it with a valve machine. Is slow.

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

Keep'em cool

Re: shortening piston pins?
 

Go to any Tool and Die Shop,its an everyday operation like sharpening punches . Best way is block and stack on wet grinder. Best to also give them the length you need instead of just telling them to take 40 off each end. Make sure to have each end ground by half instead of all off one end. Could also ask to have END Rockwelled before and after grinding. Carbide facing will work, but MUST be FLOODED with coolant to prevent softening end where lock rubs. Good luck,hope I was helpful.