H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Rich Biebel

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 ....

Rich, these Diamond pistons were built for a snap ring style (from Diamond) and had the corresponding pin for the snap ring style lock (they're different).

[Rich Biebel]

Yes Todd I would assume all those parts were made and machined to fit together and work properly.

Will be interesting to hear what feedback you get from Diamond.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Got the heads apart today #3 chamber took a nasty hit. Have a few bent valves so I'll order a whole new set tomorrow and hope we have room to surface the head into good working order. Diamond has reviewed the pistons and believes there's a problem with the way the groove was machined, they're investigating further but in the meantime they'll expedite a set and get them out at no charge. Still waiting to hear back from Titan about oil pump fitment but I believe I'm going to cut my junk pan up and take some measurements.

[MikeMoller]

Todd,
Make sure you check that head for cracks. If they have been milled quite a bit to get the right cc's they can crack easily from a piston or valve hit.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by MikeMoller

Todd,
Make sure you check that head for cracks. If they have been milled quite a bit to get the right cc's they can crack easily from a piston or valve hit.

I'll be pressure testing the head, I'll post up some pictures of the process. Should be a new learning experience.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Block is here, rods are here. It's groundhog day!

[Rod Greene]

DEJA VU all over again Reading your posts I have learned way more than I ever wanted to know about a Cheby. Wish we could get blocks for our Mopars in 2 days.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Rod Greene

DEJA VU all over again Reading your posts I have learned way more than I ever wanted to know about a Cheby. Wish we could get blocks for our Mopars in 2 days.

I don't know much about a Mopar, and at this point I know more about machine work than I ever wanted to, but yes, Dart really came through with the block. We have plenty of work to do I'm guessing till mid next week.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Cams are expensive... That is all.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

I feel like today was a pretty good one, crank came in, lifters came in and the "cam guy" is on board with my ridiculous schedule. Got all 8 holes bored today and got it on a stand.