Connecting Rods

[sdcbowler]

Good Day,

Can anyone out there tell me if there is any type of marking (number, code, lettering, symbol), on either surface of a connecting rod to indicate which side may face the front, rear, or centerline of the engine?

Thanks

 

[MoparCarGuy]

There is an oil squirt hole (many bearings do not use it anymore) on each connecting rod's big end that is meant to point at the camshaft (inward). You may find cylinder numbers on each rod cap and its matching rod.
There is also a chamfer you will see at each connecting rod bearing surface. The chamfer (beveled edge) is meant to mate with the crankshaft fillet for clearance.
Look at your crankshaft and you will see the fillet which is a radiused area. The crankshaft bearings are slightly offset to one side due to the chamfer's width.
Watch the video below on YouTube about the fillet and chamfer.

Additionally, you must assemble the pistons to the connecting rods and take into consideration the piston offset (if any). Some pistons have notches to indicate the proper orientation in the block. Piston notches face forward (front of engine). The piston offset is to reduce "piston slap" or rocking in the cylinder bore. The engineers figured out that the piston thrust angle could be adjusted to reduce piston slap. Orienting the notches forward (front of engine) takes advantage of that feature.

 

[sdcbowler]

There is a oil squirt hole (many bearings do not use it anymore) on each connecting rod's big end that is meant to point at the camshaft (inward).
There is also a chamfer you will see at each crankshaft bearing surface. The chamfer (beveled edge) is meant to mate with the crankshaft fillet.
Look at your crankshaft and you will see the fillet which is a radiused area. The crankshaft bearings are slight offset to one side due to the chamfer's width.
Watch the video below on YouTube about the fillet and chamfer.

Additionally, you must assemble the pistons to the connecting rods and take into consideration the piston offset (if any). Some pistons have notches to indicate the proper orientation in the block. Piston notches face forward (front of engine). The piston offset is to reduce "piston slap" or rocking in the cylinder bore. The engineers figured out that the piston thrust angle could be adjusted to reduce piston slap.
View attachment 127334
View attachment 127335

Got it!
Thanks.

 

[Spadman]

Got it!
Thanks.

Also, if the pistons have valve relief notches; they go to the inside. I just put eight on backwards. Oops! Broke one pressing it back off and bought a whole new set.

 

[Xcudame]

I use a little rat tail file to add the chamfer to the bearings. The bearing companies say it's not needed and the extra oil supplied by the notch isn't needed on the camshaft. Maybe not on a roller camshaft, but in my opinion, flat tappet camshafts need the extra oil.