hastily repaired rods and bolts.

[Matt Kirsch]

Earlier you stated you took the rods to the machine shop. If all the machine shop had were the rods, then why would they assemble them with loctite? That would just be straight up mean, because you have to take them apart to install them in the engine, right?

Did you take the complete engine to the machine shop? That is an important detail to leave out.

If the machine shop had the complete engine that was the time to get together with the machinist and show him your concerns, and either have him assuage your fears, or find and fix the problem.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I think he meant that the rod bolts were installed into the rods with loctite. Loctite is also used as a sleeve retainer, meaning on the shank of a fastener, not just the threads.

[pett3227b]

Yes the bolts are now permanently fixed into the top portion of the rods. I can still unscrew the nuts and remove the bottom half to access the bearings. He knew the specs on the diameter of the crankshaft rod journals. He only knew what the specs are supposed to be and not the actual measured diameter on my crankshaft.

[pett3227b]

What do you mean when you say has he resized the new bolts on the rods? Is there more to it than just checking the clearance on bearings?

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Resizing the rod is when you bolt the cap on the rod and torque it down then hone the inside bore of the rod end to be a certain size. It also makes sure the big end bore is round and not egg shaped.

If he used new bolts with a higher torque value, then he SHOULD have resized the rods to be on the safe side.

[Eugene]

The machinist is specifically an engine shop.

You should have gotten an itemized receipt for the work the machine shop accomplished and parts. What does the receipt say?

[Clemsonfor]

I have been following this thread since it first started. This is a very odd and slow exchange of questions here. I do admit this whole thing seems a little odd.

[pett3227b]

I did think when I was recommended the new bolts that the whole thing was suspicious. If I decide to just get new rods and bolts would I have to resize them or just plastigauge the clearance? I know that I would have to get new piston pin bushings and have them sized at the machine shop. wondering about the bearing end.

[ricky racer]

I did think when I was recommended the new bolts that the whole thing was suspicious. If I decide to just get new rods and bolts would I have to resize them or just plastigauge the clearance? I know that I would have to get new piston pin bushings and have them sized at the machine shop. wondering about the bearing end.

Why would you need new rods? Are they damaged? I think you need to forget all of the noise here and just put what you've got together, measure the clearance and if it's good, move on. If the clearance is too tight, address it at that time.
Have you read the manual showing you how to properly assemble the engine?????

[pett3227b]

I have done lots of research along the way. I watched the video on the entire engine rebuild specifically for the farmall cub. and have read the manuals.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I did think when I was recommended the new bolts that the whole thing was suspicious. If I decide to just get new rods and bolts would I have to resize them or just plastigauge the clearance? I know that I would have to get new piston pin bushings and have them sized at the machine shop. wondering about the bearing end.

Why would you need new rods? Are they damaged? I think you need to forget all of the noise here and just put what you've got together, measure the clearance and if it's good, move on. If the clearance is too tight, address it at that time.
Have you read the manual showing you how to properly assemble the engine?????

Right, you don't need new rods. Measure them and if they are too tight, have them resized. I doubt that will be required. Bearing clearance has some wiggle room.

[pett3227b]

Okay I'll plastigauge them and see how much clearance I've got. And go from there. Thank you. A big part of the problem here is I haven't done a lot of engine work over the years.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Okay I'll plastigauge them and see how much clearance I've got. And go from there. Thank you. A big part of the problem here is I haven't done a lot of engine work over the years.

I understand. It can be worrisome. Besides, you have to take it in context. What's the worst that could happen? You don't need this tractor to drive to work. Hobbies are supposed to be fun.

[SamsFarm]

I understand. It can be worrisome. Besides, you have to take it in context. What's the worst that could happen? You don't need this tractor to drive to work. Hobbies are supposed to be fun.

I dont know about for pett3227b.....
But some of us might not get crops in the ground, have a tractor to cultivate with, get a wagon load of hay to feed livestock, etc etc.

Sure we like our tractors, but for some of us, they are not exactly a hobby!

[SamsFarm]

Yes the bolts are now permanently fixed into the top portion of the rods.

Not that you need to do anything, but just a little fyi.

If you ever wanted to remove those rod bolts, you can do it with heat!