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Joined: Apr 2006
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ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: Apr 2006
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Hi all,
I am inspecting the 12 connecting rods and end caps from the three engines that I've torn down.
It is difficult to come up with four rod-cap pairs where both have good babbitt.
Some of the rods have issues in the babbitt material, although the matching end cap looks good. And vice versa.
What are your thoughts about putting a good end cap from one rod and putting it on a different, but good rod?
Thanks, Dean
Dean 'Rustoholic' Meltz old and ugly is beautiful!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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ChatMaster - 1,500
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ChatMaster - 1,500
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I understand that that is not recommended. The caps are machined attached to the rod so that the sides are parallel and the bore is centered. A different cap may be offset and not line up side to side. Now that may not be as critical on older engines and I hope someone with more knowledge weighs in. So if it has to be, you need to check the sides to ensure the odd cap lines up and the bore is still round. Probably not impossible but I believe it would be hard to ensure reliability doing it this way.
All the best.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Not recommended. You could mix and match complete rods after weighing.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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ChatMaster - 3,000
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ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: Apr 2006
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Good info. Thanks for the advice.
Cheers, Dean
Dean 'Rustoholic' Meltz old and ugly is beautiful!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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ChatMaster - 1,500
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ChatMaster - 1,500
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Back 50+ years ago, I did that to my 49 Chevy with very bad results. It threw the rod and upon examination I found that the cap and rod did not match up correctly. I learned that the cap and rods were machined together and it is not good to try and switch caps from one rod to another. I would not do it.
JMOP
Ed
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
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It can be done but, generally speaking, there is too much work to consider it worthwhile for anything but a patch to get you home. Each bearing half would need to be blued and scraped many times to ensure it is bearing fully on the shaft. This process can take hours.The other thing to consider, it would be a little unusual for the crank journals to be round and true in any engine that has done enough work to have worn babbit bearings. Also to consider is that the reason you have found cracked and degenerating bearings is that the babbit is likely to be past it's best and probably coming away from the backing material(gently warm the bearing with a propane torch and you may see lots more cracks). I think you should consider having the shaft ground (but only if it isn't true or worn) and the bearings re-metaled and then you can forget about it. My two cents worth !!
Regards
Al
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Joined: Apr 2006
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ChatMaster - 3,000
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ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: Apr 2006
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Thanks all for sharing your experiences and insight. I looked again and found four sets of rods/caps that seem viable. I will use these and not mix and match the caps to the rods. VCCA members are the best!  Thanks, Dean
Dean 'Rustoholic' Meltz old and ugly is beautiful!
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