wire pin locks

They suck to install and remove. Thanks for letting me vent.

Spirolox or circular wire style?

The circular wire are a lot easier when they have a tang to grab onto with your needle nose pliers during the install. But I think some companies don't use the tang out of fear they'll break off later and mess up the engine.

Wire circular locks with no tang. Spirolox are old friends.

It's all in the way you hold your tongue.

If you're a newbie like me, Spirolocks are a big PITA to remove. You need the right tool or else risk messing up the piston skirt, among other things.

The round wire with the beveled pin end is much easier to deal with in my estimation, although those doggone wire rings occasionally will fly across the room.

Anyone remember the double Waldes Tru-Arcs? Using a snap ring pliers, install two each side, making sure the sharp edges face away from each other.

R.

this guy makes it look easy !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kdhGBCpuxM

Spiro-locks are just a matter of learning what it takes to get them in and out. I can do it quickly, but still hate them. My number one choice for locks is pin buttons

Monte

I love them and just had the opportunity to install double (32) in my JE pistons for a small block I am putting together.

Spiroloxs are a breeze. These wire locks with no tang are not.

I'll tell you what works well for me on the ones with or without tangs. I lay the rod and piston on a nice towel on my workbench and take a sharp pointed pick scribe in one hand and a very small flat bladed electronics screwdriver in my other hand. Find the end and partially move it out some while applying pressure with the screwdriver to hold it in place. This allows you to get a better bite with the pick and get it out of the groove. Its all down-hill from there. With good lighting, proper height chair to be comfortable, and my bifocals its a cake walk.

i have chased a couple wire clips around the shop until i made a square u shaped copper wire quard 4" x "4 and insert one leg into the pin, so far its saved the wire from leaving the work area. your results may vary!

i like cake

I'm thinking of these also, what do you think of using in a street engine, very limited use?

Done correctly they are all easy to install.The wire clip is the easiest,just put one end in the groove and with a small blunt ended screwdriver or pick follow the clip at the point outside the bore pushing it in a little at a time.Usually when you get it over half way in you can push on the remaining part and it snaps right in place.

Made this tool in my lathe, works great ......

I just learned how to install spiro locks. Took forever to do the first one but once I figured it out they take mere seconds.

Popping them out is no big deal if the piston has the little relief to get a screwdriver blade under the spring. You gotta force it a little at first but then it comes right out.

When I was learning how to install them on the first piston, it seemed like the pin bore around the lock groove was getting a little boogered up. It's in now but I am trying to not to think about that.