Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 851 / 888 > 888sp4 - racing pistons bad idea?

[mikesps]

Screw a grub screw into the crankcase oil feed and you won't need to worry about the seal. Size is 4mm, if I remember correctly.

Ahh.. wot he said. Slow typing!

[fred888]

The bike suffered a snapped crank due to failing main bearings - at 70+mph!! - on a left hander!!!
Thankfully both heads and barrels were untouched as the crank went south.
I think the grub screw method sounds good but as I don't trust myself with this level of job, I'll have to save my pennies and get a pro to do it.
Pity the 'pros' that rebuilt the engine didn't realise that shimming out the cylinders would expose the oilway. (they've gone bust since so there's no-one to complain to).

Thanks for the input guys!

Fred

[Mr.R]

Hi, are you the guy i sold the cheap 851 crank to? via the yank 851/888 list.
Steve Robins s.w.

[fred888]

No.
I bought a complete motor to replace the devastated bottom end.
The failed crank was original to the SP4.

Fred

[loony888]

if the pin to deck height is different i'd say you have pistons for a 916. they are the same diameter and very close to the 888 ones but for the pin/deck height. as the others have said, the best way to fix the leak is block off the oilway with a grub screw and be done with it. note that i only know this after scouring the globe for some hi-comp 888 pistons and everyone only having 916 ones. ferracci had the 888 ones (wiseco) and i was very keen to measure them up when they got here to make sure i hadn't been sent the "wrong ones".
paul.