Circlips For Dummies.............What's an E-Clip?

[madprofessor]

Ever heard of an E-Clip? Have I been living under a rock all my life? Been searching online everywhere for a small assortment kit of circlips, from which I'll replace the circlips on my 212 hemi rocker shafts, and have that assortment to keep on my bench. Looked everywhere from Home Depot to O'Reilly Auto Parts, and they just don't exist. Only snap rings keep coming up.
That's because they're called E-Clips, and everybody has them under that name. I've never even heard that term before, not in my first life or in this one. Has everybody else been calling them that all along while I was under a rock?
Okay. Then what in the world is a circlip? If you want any for your projects, hunt for them under the name of E-Clips.
Or email me after this week, mrlcwest@hotmail.com , I'll send you some from the assortment of 300 I'm getting. Let's say .50 cents each, $1.00 for postage. (All in an envelope with a stamp.)

 

[7thofa2nd]

HA!!! I had the exact same problem... changing my valve springs on my Predator 212 hemi and... PING, my e-clip went sailing into outerspace, never to be seen again. I too did an extensive search for c-clips. I stumbled upon e-clips at Harbor Freight... an assortment of them CHEAP.

 

[7thofa2nd]

I just now did another search for c-clips and look at what all it brings up for "c-clip"...

C-clip

 

[madprofessor]

Thanks, 7th. Found this article (below) on that page, good explanation of E's and C's, definitely interchangeable. Doesn't say where or why different people call it different things, but it lists a bunch, C-clip, C-ring, Circlip, and basically the same things with an E-.
Clearly the rock I've been under doesn't get any Wifi.
What is an E-clip? | Fastener Engineering

 

[7thofa2nd]

Clearly the rock I've been under doesn't get any Wifi.
What is an E-clip? | Fastener Engineering

Apparently, it's crowded under that rock.

 

[7thofa2nd]

BTW... as soon as I read your title, I knew the topic... and it's funny how we both came upon it the exact same way.

 

[madprofessor]

Do you know what size the CIRCLIPS are on the rocker shafts of a Predator 212 hemi?
Getting an assortment kit, but curious if it's on the shelf at my local H.D., no waiting.
EDIT: Scratch that. That Harbor Freight assortment of 300 is in stock on the shelf at my local store.
Don't worry, my little hemi beast, you'll be running again soon. And testing a new 9:1 gear ratio.

 

[Snaker]

Thanks, 7th. Found this article (below) on that page, good explanation of E's and C's, definitely interchangeable. Doesn't say where or why different people call it different things, but it lists a bunch, C-clip, C-ring, Circlip, and basically the same things with an E-.
Clearly the rock I've been under doesn't get any Wifi.
What is an E-clip? | Fastener Engineering

There are definitely times when one would be appropriate over another.

Clips (snap rings) tend to be used for internal (in a cylinder) and external (on a shaft). They would normally be installed/removed by expanding/compressing and sliding the clip along the length of the cylinder/shaft.

Eclips (tab at midpoint, looks like a E) have a larger throat and are usually used on shafts (externally). They would normally be installed/removed by prying off the shaft, not sliding the length.
Usually a pick/screwdriver can get into the space of the clip and pry it off.

Not sure but I think snaprings have a stronger fit if forces are in play.

 

[madprofessor]

Yeah, snap rings are the one I ran across most often in my career. Copelametic and Trane compressors each use them in important functions internal to the rotating systems, and they showed up in all kinds of other less heavy duty applications.
Bought a cheap pair of internal snap ring pliers ancient ago, only took one try for me to buy a professional convertible (internal/external) pair like all the rest of my tools were.
If you read my latest posts on my SchizoBallz thread, you saw where the lost circlip came out of the pushrod passage on the magnet in unbroken condition. Since it came off whole, and I know it was installed correctly way back when the 22 Lb. springs went in and has run fine ever since, it gives me pause about how much I can trust the medium-duty efficacy of circlips in a high-speed application. Never had a snap ring come loose in my life.

 

[Dingocat]

E clips are commonly used on riding mower axles.
It's interesting how much I trust them to hold the front wheels on something that goes 35.

 

[Snaker]

E clips are commonly used on riding mower axles.
It's interesting how much I trust them to hold the front wheels on something that goes 35.

I have a lot of time dealing with safety wire, both in aviation and racing.
Sometimes you have to improvise, but it can worth it for safety, or at least peace of mind.
If your eclip has enough gap exposed you could safety wire it around the axle?
Or shop around for a replacement that could be secured.

 

[madprofessor]

How many of y'all been quietly snickering about this, knowing I was going to find out no SAE fits the rocker shafts? And H.D.'s metric selection is near nonexistent outside of capscrews.
BTW: Apparently their sizes on the little packs is the O.D. of the shaft or axle or whatever it goes on. Rocker's between 5/16" and 3/8".
Ordering a 14-sizes 1.5mm - 15mm stainless set from Amazon.

 

[madprofessor]

Just saw that I never bothered to pass on the size of the circlips (E-clips) on my Predator 212 hemi rocker shafts after finally getting the appropriate metric circlip assortment kit from Amazon.................They're 7mm, according to the size guide in the kit.

 

[pearl111]

Just saw that I never bothered to pass on the size of the circlips (E-clips) on my Predator 212 hemi rocker shafts after finally getting the appropriate metric circlip assortment kit from Amazon.................They're 7mm, according to the size guide in the kit.

Thanks madprofessor I've been looking for them also.

 

[madprofessor]

Here's the metric kit that I got..................
400pcs 304 Stainless Steel E-Clip Assortment Kit E-Clip External Retaining Ring Assortment Set 14 Sizes Circlip (1.5-15mm) (400SILVER): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[jmaack]

What is an E-clip?

A circlip, also known as a C-clip or snap ring, is a type of retaining ring with open ends that snap into place. Circlips are fasteners that fit into the

fastenerengineering.com

misused terminology is what it boils down to.

 

[madprofessor]

Excellent reference link, jmaack! The side-by-side picture of those 3 types of rings makes things clear, even to my own melted brain. Really shows how a "snap ring" (must slide over end of shaft) doesn't even belong in the same category as the "C-clip" and the "E-clip", and shows the difference between those 2 open type clips (both snap onto shaft from the side).
I'm going to make all of my references to the 2 open types of clips by their technical and (obvious appearance) names from now on.
The Amazon link I placed above is correct in name, they are all indeed E-clips (with 3 points like an E). Your link above makes it clear that the C-clip (circlip) doesn't have as big a shoulder as an E-clip when in place in the groove, so I will always use E-clips like in that kit I ordered.

 

[pearl111]

Here's the metric kit that I got..................
400pcs 304 Stainless Steel E-Clip Assortment Kit E-Clip External Retaining Ring Assortment Set 14 Sizes Circlip (1.5-15mm) (400SILVER): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Perfect just what I was looking for and a great price too.

 

[Karts of Kaos]

ive always called them e clips i have a background in rc cars and thats where i found them and was tough to call them. but i like sir clip better it sounds more professional

 

[madprofessor]

i like sir clip better

Personally don't have a real preference, but E-clip does sound strange to me when I say it because I've only heard the term "circlip" for my entire life. However, because of being a technician most of my life and being fairly OCD as well, I'm now forcing myself to refer to them in the technically correct form that makes the most sense. Calling the 3-pointed ones "E-clips", and the ones that only protrude at the 2 ends "C-clips".