. I should have thought to look at the chamfers. That would have made it more obvious/logical.
Rod Orientation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Roselle IL
Rod Orientation
An exciting day today. I picked up my block and rotating assembly and now ready to build. THis is my first complete re-build.
Can someone tell me the proper orientation of the Rods? Should the portion of the rod with the two bearing tabs be facing the outside of the block? This is how the engine came apart, but I have little confidence they did anything right.
Thanks.
Can someone tell me the proper orientation of the Rods? Should the portion of the rod with the two bearing tabs be facing the outside of the block? This is how the engine came apart, but I have little confidence they did anything right.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
The chamfer in the rods should face outward on the rod journal - the purpose of the chamfer is to leave room for the rod throw fillet.
I just read this and I'm not sure it makes any sense if you haven't seen them - if it doesn't let me know and I'll go snap a few pictures
I just read this and I'm not sure it makes any sense if you haven't seen them - if it doesn't let me know and I'll go snap a few pictures
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
The tabs for the bearings on the rods will all be put torward the outside of the block. Big block pistons are all rights, so to ease your mind
pick up all eight rods pistons, with it in your hand and the tabs torward
the outside of the block when you look down at the top of the piston
the intake valve notches should be to the righthand side of the piston.
as long as all eight pistons are mounted on the rod that way your good to go.
bearing tabs to out side of block, all intake valves on the right side.
pick up all eight rods pistons, with it in your hand and the tabs torward
the outside of the block when you look down at the top of the piston
the intake valve notches should be to the righthand side of the piston.
as long as all eight pistons are mounted on the rod that way your good to go.
bearing tabs to out side of block, all intake valves on the right side.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 9, 2008 at 11:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Put the rods, pistons, bearings in it first without any rings snug up the rod bolts a little check the side clearance. You may need to switch some rods around to pick up more clearance on one set.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 10, 2008 at 03:10 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
An alternate approach is to measure the rod journal pairs and the rod journal width with vernier calipers before installing the pistons - you really don't want to have to pull them out if you don't have to. Just push the rod big ends together and measure, then the same for the journal, being sure to measure to the machined surface off the chamfer.
A micrometer's not required for this measurement as anything +/- a couple of thousandths is close enough. Unless you find something on the boundaries, you're good. Of course, you still need to check with a feeler gauge to be *sure*.
A micrometer's not required for this measurement as anything +/- a couple of thousandths is close enough. Unless you find something on the boundaries, you're good. Of course, you still need to check with a feeler gauge to be *sure*.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
An alternate approach is to measure the rod journal pairs and the rod journal width with vernier calipers before installing the pistons - you really don't want to have to pull them out if you don't have to. Just push the rod big ends together and measure, then the same for the journal, being sure to measure to the machined surface off the chamfer.
you can do this with pistons installed (on the rods) too if you absolutely must.
I also stamp my bearing and side clearances in the pan rail so I can compare clearances if I ever have to do a teardown.
Last edited by fauxrs2; Apr 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Yep, ideally this is a spec you know before the pistons are mated to the rods and should be part of mock-up.
With pressed pins, they'll come back with the pistons in place and then it becomes a matter of making the best tolerance stack. In this case, I measure each rod and each journal, then "do the math" to find the best stack for each journal (as the pics show). Keep in mind that you can only swap between bores in the same bank.
With pressed pins, they'll come back with the pistons in place and then it becomes a matter of making the best tolerance stack. In this case, I measure each rod and each journal, then "do the math" to find the best stack for each journal (as the pics show). Keep in mind that you can only swap between bores in the same bank.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Whatever way you do it, check side clearance first don't torque any rod bolts up then decide to check side clearance last, at that point if you need to move anything around you have torqued the rod bolts one more time for no reason.