300+ rebuild

[mechohaulic]

On 1/10/2026 at 2:38 PM, Freightrain said:

I'm just measuring because I can just to see what it is.

Talking with my friend at motor shop, he says a 2" pin should have about .0015 clearance.  It does.  Piston is in range also in general terms.  A thou one way or another shouldn't make a huge difference.  I'm not "racing it" or turning excessive RPM.

Gasket kit showed up just now.  I also am going to get alignment tool for squirters just because.  Will get pistons on the rods so I can get them shoved in after I check squirters this week sometime.

alignment tool ???  when in doubt , take a welding rod with flux removed and place in the end of squirter to get a visual  idea of squirt location. should be under piston , lubing wrist pin on down stroke.

[Joey Mack]

Earl taught me to do the same thing, knock the flux off a welding rod and use it to aim the cooling tubes..  you brought me back a couple decades Mech...  thanks..

[cruiseliner64]

I love this tread.You guys have some knowledge.....

Paul

[Joey Mack]

Paul,  here is one I did in my modest shop a few years ago.  A BMT brother needed an engine, so I went and picked one up that he bought and did a full build.   

[Joey Mack]

There is bunch of guys here that have great knowledge...  Glad you found BMT

[cruiseliner64]

1 minute ago, Joey Mack said:

Paul,  here is one I did in my modest shop a few years ago.  A BMT brother needed an engine, so I went and picked one up that he bought and did a full build.   

Love to have the tools and knowledge to turn out an engine like that.I know where there is a 350 tip turbine about an hours drive from me.I was thinking of getting it and doing a rebuild on it but dont know if I have the guts to take it on.....

Paul

[Freightrain]

3 minutes ago, cruiseliner64 said:

Love to have the tools and knowledge to turn out an engine like that.I know where there is a 350 tip turbine about an hours drive from me.I was thinking of getting it and doing a rebuild on it but dont know if I have the guts to take it on.....

Paul

And here I am taking my shot in the dark doing mine..... 😆.  Just like rebuilding my Triplex last winter.  Had no clue but after figuring it out it turned out fine.

Joey, no the shop has no big diesel stuff tools.

My friend with the seal installer says it's a PITA and sounds like he doesn't use it.  He is very busy and hard to get any time with him.  That is why I was just fudging the oiler alignment.  I'll buy the tool if I have to.  I need to get out to garage and confirm they even sold me the right seal and ring.

Mech, I used 1/8" TIG rod that we have tons of at work.  We use 1/8" and bigger at work.  

[cruiseliner64]

Yes your tread has me thinking about doing that engine.....

Paul

[Brocky]

Thanks to all who have posted on this topic.... I have learned a lot, even though I will never use it..

[Joey Mack]

I may be repeating myself here, but I have the tools because when I was with Mack for 10 years, i became one of the Go-To Engine guys. I would buy tools or make tools for my personal use. As well as buying books. Fast forward 15 more years, and all of the tools and books afforded me the ability to build these engines and a couple others at home in my modest shop. I am not a machinist so that work is done outside. The only machining I can do is cut counter bore shelves in mid stop bores, like E-6+E-7's.  

Paul,   I think you would like to do that engine job. And yes tools get expensive quick. 

[mechohaulic]

13 hours ago, Joey Mack said:

Earl taught me to do the same thing, knock the flux off a welding rod and use it to aim the cooling tubes..  you brought me back a couple decades Mech...  thanks..

memory correct , the aliment tool for oil squirters is a welding rod (no flux) and square piece of clear plexiglass having circular   groove cut in to it size of piston liner; within the  grooved circle are two smaller circles. when plexiglass is placed on liner the welding rod should be centered to one of the smaller circles. reason for two smaller circles the squirters are front of piston on some cylinders. back on others. lowering   pistons with squirters installed a real P I T A. corner cutting :::: when pistons in ; install the oilers then put welding rod in check aim. not rocket science as they say.

[Freightrain]

The book shows how you twist the rod 45* to clear squirter, then straighten to get to crank journal.  Doable.  I can see not having the squirter in the way would be easier.  I'm not pulling them as I am not working in a chassis so I have all the room to work just standing next to the block.

I may check alignment after install to confirm my intuition is correct on my alignment check.