Yesterday I installed new pistons in the bored out block of a '46 B. The business that bored out the block also provided the piston set with rings and fit the new wrist pins to the connecting rods. I was expecting the fit to be somewhat tight due to the new rings, but before buttoning it up I want to ask if there is an accepted way to judge tightness and "how tight is too tight." I can turn the flywheel with what I call a medium amount of effort, but my only frame of reference is how easy it was to turn the flywheel on that well-worn engine before I dismantled it.
A little additional information is the RTP pistons (with Hastings rings) are stamped .090". I checked the diameter of the bores and both appear to be in spec (4.5 + .090). The crankshaft turns freely in the main bearings, and the fit of the connecting rods to the journals and the wrist pins to the connecting rods is smooth and not bound up, so I don't see any issues there. Looking through the archives today, I saw where there have been different thoughts on using assembly lube versus motor oil when installing pistons. I used assembly lube. We have had a rapid warm up and the air temperature was in the 60's, but the heavier cast components were still cold from recent cold weather and the assembly lube was a lot more viscous than motor oil.
Any comments would be appreciated.
A little additional information is the RTP pistons (with Hastings rings) are stamped .090". I checked the diameter of the bores and both appear to be in spec (4.5 + .090). The crankshaft turns freely in the main bearings, and the fit of the connecting rods to the journals and the wrist pins to the connecting rods is smooth and not bound up, so I don't see any issues there. Looking through the archives today, I saw where there have been different thoughts on using assembly lube versus motor oil when installing pistons. I used assembly lube. We have had a rapid warm up and the air temperature was in the 60's, but the heavier cast components were still cold from recent cold weather and the assembly lube was a lot more viscous than motor oil.
Any comments would be appreciated.