Reply To: Caille Pennant piston ring locating pin

[PM T2]

You certainly can. It is a relatively simple operation to undertake. But before you drill anything, check to see if the pin was located inside a cast boss that is provided for the reason of giving a place to put the pin that has enough material around it to support it properly. You may find that if the pin is broken off flush with the surrounding surface, you can push the broken piece of pin through the bore and press another one in to take its place. If I recall correctly, the Pennant used cast iron pistons, but my memory is fuzzy on that so you’ll have to correct me if I’m wrong.

Either way, if the hole is there but the old pin isn’t, you will either have to re-use that hole or plug it.

TO drill another hole is not a hard thing to do with the proper tools. I’d suggest using a V-block large enough to clamp the piston into, or failing that, a proper mill or drill-press vice. Whichever way you hold it, the important thing is to verify that you drill a hole exactly perpendicular (in other words, at 90 degrees) to the centreline of the piston, as you don’t want to install the pin so it’s seated at an angle. Don’t just clamp the piston into a vise and go at it with a cordless drill.

I recommend drilling with a 5/64″ drill bit then reaming the hole to 3/32 (0.093″) and installing a piece of 3/32 brass rod into the fresh hole you just made. Use some Loctite on the pin to help it stay put.

Hope this helps.

Best,
PM T2

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