Polishing connecting rods?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: NC,USA
Polishing connecting rods?
Polishing connecting rods... I read an article a few months back about cleaning up the edges of the rods, grinding off all that rough garbage off the sides of the beams. The article says that the weight is reduced, and any chance of stress risers from the rough stuff is cut down to slim to none.
Do you just grab a grinder and do it?
Do you just grab a grinder and do it?
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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Prior to reworking you should have them Magnaflux inspected to ensure they are crank free. Then grind off the die flash, but the finish does not have to be mirror smooth.
Once ground down have the entire rod shot peened.
Just grinding off the die flash without going through the whole prep process is of little value.
Duke
Once ground down have the entire rod shot peened.
Just grinding off the die flash without going through the whole prep process is of little value.
Duke
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
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From: NC,USA
Magnaflux... How much is this machine?
I've got a couple of engines that are in need of a rebuild... if the purchase price is a couple hundred bucks, I think I could find room in the shed
I've got a couple of engines that are in need of a rebuild... if the purchase price is a couple hundred bucks, I think I could find room in the shed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Never heard anyone buying thier own.
Originally Posted by ZD75blue
Magnaflux... How much is this machine?
I've got a couple of engines that are in need of a rebuild... if the purchase price is a couple hundred bucks, I think I could find room in the shed
I've got a couple of engines that are in need of a rebuild... if the purchase price is a couple hundred bucks, I think I could find room in the shed
If u are able to build and accomplish this please post.
Good luck.
cardo0 
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
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Originally Posted by ZD75blue
Magnaflux... How much is this machine?
I've got a couple of engines that are in need of a rebuild... if the purchase price is a couple hundred bucks, I think I could find room in the shed
I've got a couple of engines that are in need of a rebuild... if the purchase price is a couple hundred bucks, I think I could find room in the shed
Duke
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,416
Likes: 1
From: NC,USA
Looks like it takes a gollywhopper electro-magnet, a big ring for small stuff, a hoop for doing blocks.
The way it works for blocks: They've got a horseshoe type electro-magnet that magnatizes the block between the two contact points, and any cracks between those points cause the flow of electrons to freak out... making your magnetic powder stick to the crack. The powder is either iron filings, or magnetic powder that glows under black light.
For cranks, they have the big hoop, crank goes through the hoop, crank gets sprayed down with magnetic liquid, lights go off... any cracks show up as tiny little hairlines. Disreguarding stress cracks near the oil passages.
Rods, gears, other stuff... I havent found a picture/discription except for a program about Aircraft maintenace I peeped on TV. Again, a black room... making the part magnetic, and dousing it with green stuff.
With all that said, I havent been able to find any of these things for sale. I did find a picture of a "Kwik-Way" Astroprobe that was in use, but Kwik-way doesnt list anything like it on their website.
The way it works for blocks: They've got a horseshoe type electro-magnet that magnatizes the block between the two contact points, and any cracks between those points cause the flow of electrons to freak out... making your magnetic powder stick to the crack. The powder is either iron filings, or magnetic powder that glows under black light.
For cranks, they have the big hoop, crank goes through the hoop, crank gets sprayed down with magnetic liquid, lights go off... any cracks show up as tiny little hairlines. Disreguarding stress cracks near the oil passages.
Rods, gears, other stuff... I havent found a picture/discription except for a program about Aircraft maintenace I peeped on TV. Again, a black room... making the part magnetic, and dousing it with green stuff.
With all that said, I havent been able to find any of these things for sale. I did find a picture of a "Kwik-Way" Astroprobe that was in use, but Kwik-way doesnt list anything like it on their website.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Unless you plan to make a career of this, I doubt you'll find purchasing the Magnafux and Zyglo equipment, cost effective. My recollection is that the fees for those service are quite reasonable, and often included with other services, like rod rebuilding.
CAUTION: Make sure any and all your grinding on the rods, is LENGTHWISE.
RACE ON!!!
CAUTION: Make sure any and all your grinding on the rods, is LENGTHWISE.
RACE ON!!!
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 286
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From: Suffolk VA
another way to find small cracks in metal is to use a dye penetrant style kit... it doesn't show the deep down stuff but it has and does find the small surface cracks that you usually can't see with the eye...I get my kit from a weld supply store.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 2
From: Suffolk VA
Just so you know what you're looking for.
Three aresole cans.. first a cleaner..then a penetrant dye, you spray on wait a few minutes and wipe off the excess then use the third can of developer...what ever dye seeped into a crack will show up in the developer.... it's a pretty cool kit, neat when it finds a crack but then you realize your part is junk and it sucks LOL!
Three aresole cans.. first a cleaner..then a penetrant dye, you spray on wait a few minutes and wipe off the excess then use the third can of developer...what ever dye seeped into a crack will show up in the developer.... it's a pretty cool kit, neat when it finds a crack but then you realize your part is junk and it sucks LOL!
