Lacing wire

Northvale PA · Sep 5, 2023

The shop that did my engine rebuild did not lace the main
bearing bolts. What is the right wire to use for this? Thanks

rustred · Sep 5, 2023

if i was doing it i would use stainless steel wire with the proper wire twist pliars. back then they used haywire. and make sure the wiring is done so its tightening on the bolts. kinda think many people dont wire wire them anymore.

Janicholson · Sep 5, 2023

If you do it make sure you follow the methodology shown in images and videos. The process is logical and easily done, but very important. Safety wire is the name. Jim
Safety wire.

the tractor vet · Sep 5, 2023

today the young pups are to lazy plus they don't know how to do it . Plus will it fall apart ---- Not likely . If the bolt head is setting on the mating part with out a washer more then likely NOT going to happen , if on a hardened flat wellllll probably not . I worry about Lock washers more as over the years i have seen more then just one spread and work loose . The lacing pliers are not commonly found in 99% of mechanic's tool boxes . Guys that work on air craft then yea they have them and use them . Myself i have done the lacing SOME TIMES and cheated on connecting rod nuts with cotter pins . Just try finding good mechanic wire is not going to happen with the big box parts stores . The wire at places like Homer Depot and Lowes for get it as it is garbage as it will not take the twisting before it breaks.

rustred · Sep 5, 2023

thats right they dont know how to do it. i have have seen all kinds of messes at work. there is the .032 and .041 gauge wire here i am showing for sample. the .041 is what i would use for them cap bolts. thinner wire for smaller bolts. got a little sample of how the pliars work. clamp the wire with them and pull the end knob out and they go around and around twisting the wire. but of course you need the heads drilled for the wire, and i did lots of that at work drill the heads them chamfer the holes with a slightly bigger bit , and all over head bolts had to be lockwired.

Tony in SD · Sep 5, 2023

In the aerial communications business we use miles of 302 stainless steel lashing wire. Common sizes are .038 & .045. There are more uncommon sizes available. The wire needs to be continuous between poles. Therefore anything less than 100 feet is scrape to us. Needless to say I have tons of scrap stainless steel wire.

37 chief · Sep 5, 2023

One thing I did learn in the Navy is how to safety wire. Just about every nut and bolt on an engine, is safety wired. Bolt head always pointing up, When I was in, I believe it was .032 SS wire. The safety wire plier is your friend. Stan

Mike(NEOhio) · Sep 6, 2023

McMaster=Carr has safety wire. Doesn't need to be stainless if it's inside an engine. I have a chart somewhere on my PC showing different ways to wire. I'll post it if I can find it.

Texasmark · Sep 6, 2023

We SW'd electronic equipment mounted in aircraft. Secured the equipment, cut off a suitable length of SW from the roll, thread it through the hole in whatever, specifically made for SW, even up the tips, attach your SW tool, pull the handle to twist to the desired length, and find a deadman such that the normally right hand threaded object can't turn CCW. I don't know how many times I accidentally stabbed myself.

BarnyardEngineering · Sep 6, 2023

The shop will tell you that it's not going to come apart, and don't worry about it.

Harbor Freight has safety wire pliers. They used to have the wire too.

DoubleO7 · Sep 6, 2023

Also called lock wire.

David Snipes · Sep 7, 2023

My machine shop told me the same thing - wires aren't needed. Since Henry Ford wired my engine, I wired it too before
installation. I wonder if the machine shop just didn't want to put in the effort.

Lacing wire

Northvale PA

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rustred

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Janicholson

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the tractor vet

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rustred

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Tony in SD

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37 chief

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Texasmark

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BarnyardEngineering

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DoubleO7

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David Snipes

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