Rod play?

stabor1122

New Member
Sep 26, 2010
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Xenia, Ohio
So I am tearing down my spare engine and checking parts as I go. The rod has zero up and down play (at least non that I can detect) but does have a little side to side if you move it at the small end. I know it is normal to have some but how much is ok and what is the best way to measure it?
 
you dont have to measure it. you'll be able to tell if it has too much or is ok by common sence. i think there is a whole bunch of threads about this
 
take a really close look at the thrust washers on either side of the rod. if they don't look to be exactly the same thickness your rod needs to be replaced or get a new crank. also look at the needle bearings in the big end, they don't look perfectly perpendicular to the rod it is shot.
 
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Yeah there is no up and down. Maybe 3/16" side to side. Just a rough guess. I am pretty sure it was a fresh rebuild shortly before the piston broke.
 
take a really close look at the thrust washers on either side of the rod. if they don't look to be exactly the same thickness your rod needs to be replaced or get a new crank. also look at the needle bearings in the big end, they don't look perfectly perpendicular to the rod it is shot.

Cool. That gives me something to go on. this is the first time I have gotten this deep so it is a learning process. I just want to know what parts are going to be good to keep. Have some green for the help.I:I
 
3/16 at the small end? or big end?


you put feeler gauges between the rod and the crank to measure side play, the spec should be in the manual I:I
 
3/16 at the small end? or big end?


you put feeler gauges between the rod and the crank to measure side play, the spec should be in the manual I:I

Ok. So I think maybe I was not understanding the "side to side" play. What I was refering to was kinda the "pendulium" movement of the small end. I think from reading the posts by scot and brando that what you are actually looking for is the lateral side to side movement of the rod on the crankshaft? Is this correct? Also the movement that I was talking about is actually 1/8" measured with a tape.
 
3/16 at the small end? or big end?


you put feeler gauges between the rod and the crank to measure side play, the spec should be in the manual I:I

Good info brandoz.I was just about to type the same info.A manual and feeler guage will do you wonders.