HarleyTechTalk

Is it necessary to buy a specific tool to remove the piston pin retainers or can it be done with something else? I hate to buy a tool that I'll only use once.

I used a nice sharp awl to remove the circlip last time I had mine apart.

Zach

Awl   Coff 06

pry the clip out from the releif in the piston,and pry out.when you reinstall the clips,make sure the clip opening isnt in the same place as the relief(make sure the clip spans the releif)or getting them out next time is going to be a REAL bitch!!

cover any open orifice before attempting removal,
meaning, lifters, shove rags into cases and cover

And wear eye protection........... sometimes those clips have some speed.

Regards,

"Classic"

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945085000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4

Max

Cover those cases......TING,"Oh sh#t, anybody see where that retainer went".......remember you only need to remove one retainer per piston, a sharp little pocket screwdriver or pick is all that is really needed......

It depends on the pistion clip set.  A master head porter friend of mine thought I was crazy to buy the tool (I actually bought it for twenty bucks) when I did my Millennium 114".  I was accustom to just using picks, screwdrivers, and the like on other builds.  Then I got to those tough clips!  Had to buy the tool because it was the only way I could get them in without scratching up the pistons all to heck.  My friend had the same experience.  Lucky he had a friend (me) with the tool when he did his 4.250" Nik build.

Also, with the tool I don't even have to bother putting rags in the casing.  I just pop them in.

Quote from: les on November 04, 2010, 04:41:32 PM

Also, with the tool I don't even have to bother putting rags in the casing.  I just pop them in.

Jinx.......

Zach

Save the ones you remove until the engine is back together. Nothing like looking on the floor after you button in up and seeing a wrist pin clip sitting there 
Thank God I determined it was an old one.....whew !!
Now I save ALL parts removed, and nothing goes in the trash until the job is complete....and gone !

A clip has to go back in so,
heres an easy way to install wrist pin clips.

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,1084.msg8814.html#msg8814

I used a dental pick to help get the ring started out.

Quote from: nemick on November 04, 2010, 09:46:03 AM
Is it necessary to buy a specific tool to remove the piston pin retainers or can it be done with something else? I hate to buy a tool that I'll only use once.

No!   You would be amazed at how many of the specialty tools are not really neccessary,

  with what has already been said, tool or no tool cover all the holes in the cases when pulling em or installing them...I swear them dam little clips will find there way into any place ya don't want em 

Thanks for all of the replies. You guys rock.

Yepp, they are fun little bastards (as I call them) to work with, aint they?  lol

Specialty tool or not... cover everything up.  I was changing out the piston squirters and a screw fell. 

I had taken duct tape and made a cradle with sticky side up... just in case... and it worked.

I also had a piston clip spring back after using a circlip tool.  Wasn't seated properly.

Quote from: Snuffâ,,¢ on November 04, 2010, 05:20:11 PM
A clip has to go back in so,
heres an easy way to install wrist pin clips.

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,1084.msg8814.html#msg8814

Those are the easy ones; the spiral locks are the real PITA.

after covering everything up make sure you have at least 1 extra clip. Close your eyes and throw in the air so it could land in some obscure place never to be found till you move. Then you won't have to loose one of the ones your installing

Quote from: wurk_truk on November 05, 2010, 08:42:17 AM
Specialty tool or not... cover everything up.  I was changing out the piston squirters and a screw fell. 

I had taken duct tape and made a cradle with sticky side up... just in case... and it worked.

I also had a piston clip spring back after using a circlip tool.  Wasn't seated properly.

!!!

You can also make a cool rod support out of styrofoam.   Get some fine foam at a fabric store.   Cut it circular slighty larger than the case opening. Using sand paper, shape a slight taper on it.  Cut a slot have way down the center to allow the rod to snuggly fit in.  Now you have the the case hole  covered and the rod straight in the air.  Makes installing the clip a lot easier.  This is assuming you are fitting the piston into the cylinder first.