273 rod: offset or not

[65TerrorCuda]

29 years ago I built my 273 using only a Chilton's manual.

Fast forward to today and I see that 3 of my rods are in backwards, chamfer not against crank.

Side clearances are all .010. Rod bearings don't have the oil notch.

Engine has been to 6750 rpm like this, no unusual cam wear etc. Cylinder pressures all within 5psi.

I know it's wrong but... your thoughts?

 

[RustyRatRod]

The chamfer doesn't dictate rod direction. They are chamfered on both sides. Like everything else Chrysler, the chamfer isn't exact. Some are even, some are more than others on the same rod. What dictates the rod direction is the bearing lock tangs in the connecting rod. They all should face the outside of the block.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

The chamfer doesn't dictate rod direction. They are chamfered on both sides. Like everything else Chrysler, the chamfer isn't exact. Some are even, some are more than others on the same rod. What dictates the rod direction is the bearing lock tangs in the connecting rod. They all should face the outside of the block.

Now that I can check, thank you!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Now that I can check, thank you!

Sho nuff.

 

[Max1196]

Also, look for the oil squirt hole, should be on the inboard side of the rods.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

Also, look for the oil squirt hole, should be on the inboard side of the rods.

Thanks! Now I don't have to take the caps off again.

So does having the rods on backwards hurt anything?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Thanks! Now I don't have to take the caps off again.

So does having the rods on backwards hurt anything?

If you have any on backwards, and if they have the oil squirt hole, it will be squirting the wrong direction. I'd be extremely surprised if an engine went together with rods backwards and did not lock down when assembling. So, I'm kinda doubting they're on backwards. Anything's possible, I reckon.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

If you have any on backwards, and if they have the oil squirt hole, it will be squirting the wrong direction. I'd be extremely surprised if an engine went together with rods backwards and did not lock down when assembling. So, I'm kinda doubting they're on backwards. Anything's possible, I reckon.

Would there be any advantage to turning them around at this point if they are? Engine is on the stand right now for rod and main bearings.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Would there be any advantage to turning them around at this point if they are? Engine is on the stand right now for rod and main bearings.

I'm unsure I would. Everything is kinda "married" now. Now, if you were to send everything to the machine shop, get the rods resized and flipped the right way, then yeah. But we're puttin the cart before the horse here. Let's SEE what you have first.

 

[65TerrorCuda]

I'm unsure I would. Everything is kinda "married" now. Now, if you were to send everything to the machine shop, get the rods resized and flipped the right way, then yeah. But we're puttin the cart before the horse here. Let's SEE what you have first.

#8 is backwards, but no signs of distress. I'm sending it.
Thanks gentlemen,

 

[Dave999]

i am pulling a junk yard engine apart my with son at the mo. its a hemi 6
we got to taking off mains and rod caps....

at the mo. i can not tell if it has the rods correct way but the monkey who built it put the rod bearings in so that the one with the hole for the rod oil squirter, is in the cap and the oil squirter is blanked off by the shell with no hole...

its a virgin bore and has what appears to be original everything including the branding on the bearings..... i don't think its ever been apart

i can see no real detriment caused by this mistake so far...

engine put out of action 40 years ago by a cracked exhaust manifold and no spares availability is my guess given the attempt to repair with jb weld...never gonna work for long

Dave

 

[65TerrorCuda]

i am pulling a junk yard engine apart my with son at the mo. its a hemi 6
we got to taking off mains and rod caps....

at the mo. i can not tell if it has the rods correct way but the monkey who built it put the rod bearings in so that the one with the hole for the rod oil squirter, is in the cap and the oil squirter is blanked off by the shell with no hole...

its a virgin bore and has what appears to be original everything including the branding on the bearings..... i don't think its ever been apart

i can see no real detriment caused by this mistake so far...

engine put out of action 40 years ago by a cracked exhaust manifold and no spares availability is my guess given the attempt to repair with jb weld...never gonna work for long

Dave

From what I've been reading online it looks like the oil squirters were abandoned at some point. The bearings I just pulled were clevite 77 tri metals and they lacked the hole as well. Maybe oil pressure is better without the squirters, I have no idea.

They JB welded the exhaust manifold? Lol