The Ford Barn

Bud · 03-15-2018, 11:28 AM

What type snap ring pliers do you use on the retaining rings used in the V8 transmission? I used my cheap set with the replaceable pin ends, but it barely had enough travel to do the job and kept slipping off. I know about grinding the ends on the ring parallel and I did that. Is it better to use a snap ring pliers that has a parallel linkage? If so, what brand? If you have a picture of the pliers you use, that would be helpful.
Thanks

skidmarks · 03-15-2018, 11:40 AM

The ones you want do not look like the snap ring pliers you are use to seeing. The are heavier duty with flat ends and some with a small area that sticks off one side to get into the groove you see on the output shaft of your transmission. The ends are knurled to help grip the hard snaprings.

One i have were made by snapon and probably 50 years old. Craftsman did make the same ones years ago

JM 35 Sedan · 03-15-2018, 12:25 PM

I can't suggest how to easily get them off initially. I just find ways to get it done, but once they are off, I've been drilling small holes, one on each end, with tungsten carbide drills, to put them back on using standard snap ring pliers, and maybe get them off again if it's ever necessary.

skidmarks · 03-15-2018, 01:04 PM

This is what i use. Also got a pair with a offset for getting the snapring off the syncro in a Lasalle 3 speed.

If your replacing all of the snap rings with new ones, a small welding tip in a combination torch, you can heat a small spot in the snap ring and pop it off with a screwdriver. Full rebuilds its best to replace all of them

51504bat · 03-15-2018, 01:58 PM

I believe that Mac VanPelt has the right snap ring pliers.

Mac VP · 03-15-2018, 05:19 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

We’ve always suggested the Lisle made lock ring pliers.....also available at Sears (for who knows how much longer). We don’t recommend re-using snap rings in transmission rebuilds. They do wear in the grooves they’ve lived in, and that can affect endplay. So we had them all made.....correct thickness.....with opposed tips......made in the USA.

rotorwrench · 03-15-2018, 06:33 PM

Mac's snap rings are not only a correct width fit, they are also much easier to remove and install due to the opposed profile of the split ends. Some of the old ones can be a bugger bear to get off due to a profile that takes some work to get them to spread. They are slant cut so you can only get under one end easily but not so easy on the other. They will come off with persistence but I would never put one of those back on.

cmbrucew · 03-15-2018, 08:16 PM

When I was working, if I saw snap ring pliers that i did not own, I would buy them.
Cheap insurance because if you don't have the correct one you can mess up some high priced parts.
Bruce

RKS.PA · 03-16-2018, 10:28 AM

Can't say enough good things about Mac VP and his parts and advice, especially when it comes to transmissions!!

Dick.

Seth Swoboda · 03-16-2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Can't say enough good things about Mac VP and his parts and advice, especially when it comes to transmissions!!

Dick.

I agree. Credit is due here. His book is invaluable for the do it yourself'er.

barnfind · 03-21-2018, 02:46 PM

I have some similar to Skidmarks I picked up in the 70s.

Found these from Matco that might work:
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...NING-RING-PLR/

Capsacto · 03-22-2018, 11:34 AM

I got my snap-ring pliers on eBay. They did the job very well. Here’s the link: https://www.ebay.com/p/Ford-Flathead...p2047675.l2644

gearhead1952 · 03-23-2018, 08:49 AM

I found a set of pliers at Pep Boys auto parts. Was a stock item with knurled tips that prevent the end of the ring from slipping off.

03-15-2018, 11:28 AM	#1
Bud Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 819	Transmission Repair What type snap ring pliers do you use on the retaining rings used in the V8 transmission? I used my cheap set with the replaceable pin ends, but it barely had enough travel to do the job and kept slipping off. I know about grinding the ends on the ring parallel and I did that. Is it better to use a snap ring pliers that has a parallel linkage? If so, what brand? If you have a picture of the pliers you use, that would be helpful. Thanks

03-15-2018, 11:40 AM	#2
skidmarks Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: newark, delaware Posts: 3,735	Re: Transmission Repair The ones you want do not look like the snap ring pliers you are use to seeing. The are heavier duty with flat ends and some with a small area that sticks off one side to get into the groove you see on the output shaft of your transmission. The ends are knurled to help grip the hard snaprings. One i have were made by snapon and probably 50 years old. Craftsman did make the same ones years ago

03-15-2018, 12:25 PM	#3
JM 35 Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland Posts: 10,858	Re: Transmission Repair I can't suggest how to easily get them off initially. I just find ways to get it done, but once they are off, I've been drilling small holes, one on each end, with tungsten carbide drills, to put them back on using standard snap ring pliers, and maybe get them off again if it's ever necessary. __________________ *John* *"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein*

03-15-2018, 01:58 PM	#5
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,013	Re: Transmission Repair I believe that Mac VanPelt has the right snap ring pliers. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

03-15-2018, 05:19 PM	#6
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: Transmission Repair Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) We’ve always suggested the Lisle made lock ring pliers.....also available at Sears (for who knows how much longer). We don’t recommend re-using snap rings in transmission rebuilds. They do wear in the grooves they’ve lived in, and that can affect endplay. So we had them all made.....correct thickness.....with opposed tips......made in the USA. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

03-15-2018, 06:33 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Transmission Repair Mac's snap rings are not only a correct width fit, they are also much easier to remove and install due to the opposed profile of the split ends. Some of the old ones can be a bugger bear to get off due to a profile that takes some work to get them to spread. They are slant cut so you can only get under one end easily but not so easy on the other. They will come off with persistence but I would never put one of those back on.

03-15-2018, 08:16 PM	#8
cmbrucew Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North of sandy ago, CA. Posts: 2,064	Re: Transmission Repair When I was working, if I saw snap ring pliers that i did not own, I would buy them. Cheap insurance because if you don't have the correct one you can mess up some high priced parts. Bruce __________________ Works good Lasts long time

03-16-2018, 10:28 AM	#9
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Transmission Repair Can't say enough good things about Mac VP and his parts and advice, especially when it comes to transmissions!! Dick.

03-21-2018, 02:46 PM	#11
barnfind Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 426	Re: Transmission Repair I have some similar to Skidmarks I picked up in the 70s. Found these from Matco that might work: https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/p...NING-RING-PLR/

03-22-2018, 11:34 AM	#12
Capsacto Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: NorCal Posts: 68	Re: Transmission Repair I got my snap-ring pliers on eBay. They did the job very well. Here’s the link: https://www.ebay.com/p/Ford-Flathead...p2047675.l2644 __________________ Ed "I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." - Thomas Jefferson

03-23-2018, 08:49 AM	#13
gearhead1952 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Julesburg, Colorado Posts: 714	Re: Transmission Repair I found a set of pliers at Pep Boys auto parts. Was a stock item with knurled tips that prevent the end of the ring from slipping off.