Thread: Reluctant rod caps

I'm putting the engine back together.
After installing piston number 4 I flip the engine over to fit the cap, but it doesn't want to go on so I end up tapping it which in turn loosens the bearings (without me knowing) so I end up tightening down with the bearing not lined up properly which in turn ruins a pair of shells!
It's made harder because at the ends (near cylinder 1 and 4) the girdle doesn't leave much room to put them on,

Is there a trick im missing? Why won't this one rod cap slide on easily, it's as if the threads out the rod are bent.

Any help much appreciated as I already have to get a new set of bearings and a new rod now

Thanks

thats probably ur problem. the rod in the bottom could be slightly bent, they would go on with ease. i would take the hole piston out check the rod. match stud for stud with another rod and see if you could see if its bent

Is it unheard of to tap the thread to bring it back to where the cap slides on easily?

Your rods are out of round. You shouldnt have to tap it to get it on, end of story. You have to tap them to knock them loose sometimes after tightening but they should slide on and off easily. If you at all have to tap them down onto the studs the rod big end is out of round. If you had rod knock before this, that would be the reason why its hard going on.

Get a new set of rods.

Machine shop will re bore ur rods for ten bucks. Bring them all there to be checked

If they are stock rods then I have a set if ur interested.

Or ive got a set of Eagle rods for 200 if interested.

Reboring will not fix the stud alignment issues. You need a good set of rods.

I have a set of 54c rods and pistons if you need them.

Thanks all
So I can throw in a set of good used rods using acl race bearings (oversized as crank has been reground after spinning a bearing) just fine, no worries about matching numbers etc?
I've already replaced the rod which span, am I right to swap my original pistons on to the new rods? I was just being cautious, not sure if the rings wear specifically to each cylinder.

Cheers

Anyone?