VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 194 piston and rod questions

I am building a 1930 194 this engine was completely disassembled when I received it there are 2 rods out of the six that are different they have two holes board through the top of the rod into the Babbitt The other 4 rods have two hose that are board at an angle and come out one hole in the babbit trying to figure out where the two oddballs need to be placed on the crankshaft

The other thing I am dealing with is I ordered a set of pistons from Kantar these pistons are manufactured by builders choice and have a relief cut on the side directly over the relief cut is the .040 marking on most engines I have worked on any markings always go to the Cam side just trying to double check this don't want to guess and have a problem

Thank you

Welcome to Chevy Chatter! Glad to have you with us!

On the two odd-ball connecting rods, what is the casting number on each rod?

There is not a front and back for the '29-'32 pistons. You can install them anyway you wish. The rods will have a casting number that will help identify them. If the thrust surface is babbitt they will be '29-'31. If steel then '32.

Chipper tnx for your response just retest my original post and relized I did not mention that the Pistons I bought are aluminum. These Pistons have a T cut in the skirt I am guessing that it is there for either heat expansion or reduce the sound of skirt slap if it still doesn't matter I would still like to know how other guys installed them and what their resins where for doing so as far as the rods go they are for a1930 model they all look identical except for these holes they are located on each side of the rod going into babbit life a lubrication point on 2 of the rods the holes the were drilled through parallel to the rod beam causing there to be two holes in the babbit on the other 4 the holes are drilled in at about a 45 degree angle to the rod beam causing them to meat and one hole to be in the babbit surface

Again......what are the casting numbers on the rods?

Sorry I took so long here are the casting numbers

The rods that have two holes are stamped
835512 Chevrolet. 398

The rods with the single hole in the babbit are stamped
835512 (Chevy symbol) 981

As I suspected those rods are both for '29-'31. Can't remember when the change was made between the single hole and double hole to top oil the rod bearings. I am sure that the Dog will either know or look it up. You can use them in your build. Just try to get them all about the same weight.

Thanks a bunch I just talked to a local old timer who told me the same thing this gentleman is 81 years old and still works at a local engine shop everyday as far as the Pistons go the T cut in the skirt goes to the non thrush side of the rotation

The above is correct for aluminum pistons. The Chev. engine used cast iron pistons and they had no front or back.

I agree regarding the cast iron pistons.