Interchanged rods

glenn in camino

glenn in camino

Well-known member
I sent my rods and pistons out to be balanced and they came back with the following note. NOTE: pistons are in the correct positions. The rods were interchanged so be sure to check bearing clearance! I suppose this won't be a problem. The engine had a few miles on it before I took it apart. I'm planning to check all bearings with plastiguage.
 
As has been mentioned in other threads, be sure the "Plasti-gauge" you use is fresh stock. I have seen plasti-gauge make depressions in the babbit.
 
By checking the bearing clearance and adjusting as required you should be in good shape. Gar Willliams
 
I am 72 but when I was 14 or so I learned how to fit bearing using a small machinest hammer. (plastic gauge was not readdly available then) Its worked well all these years, and old Roger was quite a mechanic. He had a lot of old time tricks up his sleves. Iceman
 
Ice man said:
I am 72 but when I was 14 or so I learned how to fit bearing using a small machinest hammer. (plastic gauge was not readdly available then) Its worked well all these years, and old Roger was quite a mechanic. He had a lot of old time tricks up his sleves. Iceman
Click to expand...

I'm 73 and that is the way I learned. I still do it that way today on babbitt rods. Never had a problem with the rods. I use a small hammer then give it a light tap, if it moves to the other side of the clearance it is fine. You have to have the feel takes practice.
 
glenn in camino said:
NOTE: pistons are in the correct positions. The rods were interchanged so be sure to check bearing clearance!
Click to expand...
What does this mean? Were the caps interchanged? Why would the rods be removed from the pistons and why weren't they put back in the order they were removed? Were they put back on the rods in the correct direction? You could very well have a serious problem if the balancer mixed these things up. Sounds "Mickey Mouse" to me.
 
Last edited:
glenn in camino said:
I sent my rods and pistons out to be balanced and they came back with the following note. NOTE: pistons are in the correct positions. The rods were interchanged so be sure to check bearing clearance! I suppose this won't be a problem. The engine had a few miles on it before I took it apart. I'm planning to check all bearings with plastiguage.
Click to expand...


How many miles are a few, 2 or 3?

Was the engine loose enough to rock on compression at full operating temperature?
 
When balancing the rods each end is weighed (Ford spec + or - 1 gram), if one of the small ends is light, and a wrist pin, or piston is heavy on another rod they can be moved to make for a better balance --this is probably what was done,and to me it it would mean that he was trying to do a good job for you without costing you more$$ for machining the parts to weight.
 
I trust the shop that did the work. Anyway, I plastiguaged everything, it turns over with the right amount of drag, it's all together now, and I'm not going to take it apart again. EGBOK.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top