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Piston pin fit. How tight is too tight.

Johan1963

New member
7
1
3
Location
Minnesota
I'm rebuilding the 6-cylinder flathead out of my 1953 M37 but I have a question about the piston pins. The rod ends bushings were burnished to fit the pin. I'm having to use a hydraulic press to push the pins into the pistons. I've never had piston pins that are this tight before. I assumed they would be a thumb pressure push fit. Which is right?

Thanks
 

SturmTyger380

Active member
482
30
28
Location
Easley SC
That’s not right. M37 pins are supposed to be the floating type.

I had a machine shop install new piston bushings and then size them by reaming to the right size.

After that you could push the pins in with not much force at all.
 

Johan1963

New member
7
1
3
Location
Minnesota
I cleaned them up with a green pad and tapped them in with a rubber hammer. They were originally packed in cosmoline. I had to soak them for a day in gasoline to unravel all the packing. I still had to press them out of the piston with a press. Must have been some cosmoline around the pin. I think this is the last time I use NOS pistons and rings. I'll buy new stuff next time.

Thanks for the help.
 

Valley Rock

Big wheeler cat peeler
Steel Soldiers Supporter
446
850
93
Location
Orygun
Your pins should NEVER be tight in the piston, only the small end of the rod .

If you have full floating pins they will be tight nowhere and held in by clips in the pistons .
 
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