Question for you engine builders?

[brumbach]

When referring to a connecting rod, what is meant by "bushed and uses a floating piston pin"? Is this good or is there something better? Application: L79 restoration, cruising...

Thanks,

Bill

 

[JohnZ]

99% of production engines use "pressed-fit" rods; the pin is a press fit in the small end of the rod (rod end is heated to install the pin), and the pin floats in the hole in the piston.

Many race engines are built with "floating pins", where the pin floats in a bushing pressed into the end of the rod, and it also floats in the hole in the piston; it's restrained from lateral movement by Spirolocks or spring clips that engage grooves machined in both of the pin holes. The only advantage of "floating pins" is easy teardown, as the pins will slide right out after removing the retaining clips (with pressed pins, the small end of the rod must be heated, while inside the piston, to remove the pins without damaging the rods or pistons).

Conventional pressed pins will work fine for you.