Aligning Rod Caps To Stamped Numbers
 

I just assembled my crank shaft and rods tonight and when I finished I realized that one of the rod caps doesn’t have the stamped numbers on the same side! As far as I can tell all of the rods are spinning with the same feel as the one with the miss matched cap. I’m a bit (actually alot) worried because in Wayne’s book he says to make sure to have the numbers on the rods and caps on the same side. Should I redo this one rod and order some new rod bolts and nuts or should I let it go?

I put them on the same side, but i heard that the rods are identical on both sides, at least in my -72T

You should redo the one that is installed incorrectly.

Anthony

If the cap numbers don't match the rod then redo it but if the rod and cap are flopped 180 deg., then I think it's your choice. I probably would redo it anyway.

Tim

Definitely redo it.

The rod end matches but I got the numbered side flip floped 180 deg.

So then if the cap and rod are assembles correctly(numbers match and are on the same side) but just flipped 180 deg. on the crank then it's just cosmetic except that if they are use parts then they are not going back in the way they came out?? Your choice, there is no difference.

Tim

Tim,

I actually got the correct rod end and rod together but the number stampings are not on the same side.

I'm not positively sure what you are saying but if the rod number aren't one on top of the other like this:
646
646
Then you need to take it apart and redo it so they are.
If you meant that when the rods are on the crank that some rod numbers face in the clockwise direction and other rods have their numbers facing the in the counter clockwise direction, that doesn't matter.
-Chris

No good, they are machined with the caps on and the numbers on the same side. You need to take that one apart and redo it.

Tim

Guess I'm re-doing the one. So i'll need to get some new rod bolts but do I have to get new nuts as well or can I use the same ones? All the rod bolts and nuts were new.

The numbers should line up, and here's why. The rod is machined with the large bore for the rod bearing in the center, with the caps attached and aligned with the numbers. If the rod bearing bore is slightly off (it will be, as it is technically impossible to get it 100% accurate down to a micron), then when you switch the caps, you will have a mismatch on the rod bore halves.

To picture it more clearly, imagine if you rod bearing bore on your rod was mis-matchined off to the side by about an 1/8th of an inch. Flipping the cap would create a large step when you put it back on the rod.

Make sense? Simply redo the rod (10 minutes and you will stop worrying about it).

-Wayne

both notches for the bearing lock tab have to be on the same side. it's easier to look for where the notches are on assembly, than look for the numbers.