Cotter pins
 

Hi all. Hardware question:

I opened up the bottom end of my '28 engine. It mostly looks pretty good in there, but some previous owner had the bottom end apart, and used 6-penny nails instead of cotter pins on the rods. Obviously, those need to get replaced :)

I see the parts lists calling for plain steel cotter pins. I have quite a few aircraft grade parts, in stainless. Is it ok to use what I have, or is there a reason to prefer plain steel over stainless for this application?

TIA . . .

Re: Cotter pins
 

I'd think that you'd be fine to use up your stock of stainless cotter pins.....unless you are concerned about the next owner doing what you just did and concluding that some previous owner was a profligate spender. :) Henry used plain steel because they were adequate and would have been cheaper - if stainless pins were available at all.

Re: Cotter pins
 

He must have been a carpenter.

Re: Cotter pins
 

You don't need cotter pins if the caps are tightened sufficiently.

Re: Cotter pins
 

That's just because that's what was used originally, and think about it they don't have much change to rust in the bottom end of an engine. Use what you have.

Re: Cotter pins
 

Hmmm. I'll take your word for it, but I'm inclined to use them anyway. Call me paranoid :)

Re: Cotter pins
 

Use stainless

Re: Cotter pins
 

If the nails are doing there job, leave them in there. Like the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

Re: Cotter pins
 

Or work on it till you break it :-)

Re: Cotter pins
 

I've NEVER seen a NAIL fail, when used instead of a cotter key! Years back, they were used a lot, even on the brakes. Folks were POOR. We once lived in a house with a DIRT kitchen floor.
Bill W.