Do rods really need rebuilding when new ARP bolts are installed by press?

[tshih]

I am rebuilding a 1975 2.0L type 4 engine which was leaking oil and has about 90000 miles on original undamaged crankshaft. After taking off old rod bolts and pressing on the new ARP bolts I am in the process of reassembling the engine with new standard size rod bearings. I was wondering from some advice I was given by Jake Raby and Bleyseng to have the rods checked and resized by a competent machinist. My question is what can I do myself to check the rods before taking them in? Do I need anything more sofisticated than a micrometer or plastigauge to measure the reusability of these rods? I fail to see how torguing these rod bolts to spec (40ft-lbs) would distort the big ends to require resizing. Please educate me. thanks.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

It's not necessarily the torqueing that distorts them. It's the use. 90K miles is quite a bit, and the openings in the big ends of the rods are likely very very slightly oval. A good shop can re-size them for you, which will ensure that the openings are perfectly round. This is pretty much a "default" in any bottom-end rebuild any more.

--DD

[tshih]

Thanks Dave,
I measured the rod to crank side clearance before dismantling and they were within the spec (.004-.016"). I found out that EBS quoted me $30 per rod to fully recondition them to spec. So I'll be sending them out next week

[captainrb]

Great idea..While its in your hand just "DO IT"

[AL MEREDITH]

My son's shop builds racing engines only and they always resize rods when they change bolts!