Connecting rods?

[VisionPaintball]

Hey guys, dropped the oil pan today to replace since its all dented and leaking. I was checking the rods and there is the slightest amount of side to side play. Should there be absolutely no play?

 

[hurricanecris24]

there should be no play whatsoever. a rod bearing could be worn out or the caps are not in spec

 

[VisionPaintball]

Wow that sucks. I figured it might be normal since all the rods seemed the same.

 

[hurricanecris24]

this is just coming from me and what i know. The motors i have tore down or check the rods have been solid and no play, and theres been times with rods having some play and it was the bearings

 

[VisionPaintball]

I tried google and a bunch of links said slight side to side is normal but shouldnt have any up and down movement.

 

[ruben2566]

Yes, the rods have to have some side clearance or they will bind.

 

[donniekak]

Rods have play parallel to the crank centerline. They should have no noticeable play perpendicular to the crank centerline.

 

[rlacasse1]

They should have a little bit of play from side to side. Every engine I have taken apart has had just a tiny bit. It's completely normal.

 

[VisionPaintball]

Thank goodness. I was starting to get worried.

 

[JacksonAuto]

That's called side clearance and they need to have some. More than .025" or so and you should be worried. You need that clearance so the sides of the rods don't wear into the crank and that is also how the oil escapes the rod bearings to make room for the new oil that's coming from the feed hole in the journal.

 

[VisionPaintball]

Thanks for the explanation!

 

[rocketfish]

i would double check tolerances in the parallel play just to be certain.

 

[VisionPaintball]

Zero parralel play, cant budge them. Thanks for the info.