What's the difference between a floating pin and pressed pin pistons? Are there any compalibilty issues with connecting rods and these different pin types?

 

Pressed pins are the standard from the factory in all but the wildest combinations of yesterday. Full floating pins are the better race set up but are not really needed on the street. A good machine shop can convert the standard small block rods to take the floating pins. Floating pins are still available from GM along with most aftermarket performance outlets. O i forgot to to mention that floating pins are used on floating pistons that have a grove in them on each side for the spirolex retainers that hold the wristpin inside the piston. On a side note the retainers need to be replaced at each rebuild. Hope this helps

 

thanx alot because I was confused when i looked at my summit catalog and saw Speed Pro's different piston types and just needed the extra know-how.

 

pressed pins only move back and forth in the pistons, they are pressed into place on the rod and need to be installed with a rod oven. Full floating pins are free to move in both the rod and the piston, and as mentioned are held in with retainer clips on either side of the piston. A word of advise if U are going to install full floating pins, look at the retainers, they ARE DIRECTIONAL.... there is a flat side and a round side from being punched and the flat side needs to go on the outside of the piston, if U put the round side out and the pin hits the retainer hard enough they are going to fly out and could cause some serious problems....