Rod Bolts...to replace or not to replace....that is the question...

[Joe.Doty@lcnetwork.com (Joe Doty)]

I have built three engines so far and have not had to press any rod =
bolts in or out.  When bolting the caps up, the rod bolts pull =
themselves into place.  It does not require much force at all.

Just my experience...

Joe Doty
IT/Development
joe@lcnetwork.com=20

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Alexander [mailto:ralexander03@snet.net]=20
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 7:11 AM
To: The list
Subject: Re: Re:Rod Bolts...to replace or not to replace....that is the =
question...

Jesse,
=A0
I have a press so I don't know any short cuts. They are not all that =
tight in there and maybe a drill press would do it or a vise. I'd =
certainly give that a try.=A0 I don't know why, just a feeling on my =
part actually, but I would not drive them with a hammer.
=A0
BTW there are presses available at most "hands on" repair shops and =
certainly at all machinists shops. You should be befriending these folks =
any way. Go make some new friends. LOL.
=A0
Rick Alexander
----- Original Message -----=20
From: jesse and monica=20
To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org=20
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2002 11:36 PM
Subject: Re:Rod Bolts...to replace or not to replace....that is the =
question...

Hey Rick,
Thanks for the input. I have one more question. So if i replace the rod =
bolts, are they pressed into the connecting rod?
How do you remove them? Do you need a press to do so? I have my new =
pistons hooked up to the rods already and am deciding
if i should go ahead and replace the bolts. Please any input would be =
great....
thanks all,
jesse
just coming to the list from the Type3.org list....

Welcome to non-lurk mode.

These questions I'm sure of as opposed to this mornings mess up.

The new rod bolts are cheap insurance. The characteristics of the old =
bolts
changed when they were torqued up the first time. They don't even have =
the
same length as they did prior to the original installation.

It isn't hard to clean a crank the right way and you will be amazed at =
what
has been compacted in there by centrigical force even in 90 thousand =
miles.
When you drill the plugs out you will find that the compacted dirt =
behind
the plugs is often as hard as the plugs. I don't put the original style
plugs back in, I tap the hole and put Allen head set screws in with
locktite. For me this is a whole lot more confidence inspiring. Besides =
you
will be able to easily clean it the next time through.

Good luck and try to stay out of lurk mode.

Rick Alexander