Please help asap. Dont know if I stretched my rod bolts.

[packinkimber45]

It's been a couple of years since I took my motor out of my car and finally have almost all my parts to get it back together. When I took the motor out two years ago, I checked my oil clearances on my main crank bearings. I don't remember for sure if I checked my rod clearances as well. Going through my printed papers from the fsm cd, I found a page that had different torque values for the rod cap nuts that I actually need. It indicates 14.5 ft/lbs + 1/4 turn. I know the torque value for my 6 bolt rod cap nuts needs to be 36-38 ft/lbs. With that said, I can't remember for the life of me if I torqued the rod cap nuts during that time and if I did it with the torque to yield spec I listed above or 36-38 ft/lbs. If I did use the 14.5 plus 1/4 turn is the bolt no good and stretched?

I need to know for peace of mind, whether I should take the rods out and replace the bolts. However if the torque to yield spec above is not greater than 36-38 ft/lbs I dont want to have to take the rods out and replace the bolts. Am I making sense here. Sorry for the long post, I have been trying to remember for hours and I am driving myself crazy figuring out if I stretched them or not. Thanks in advance.

 

[BogusSVO]

measure each bolt and post the results.

also with the rod caps off, inspect the threads, sometimes when the bolts strech, there will be lighter color between the treads, and larger "gap" between the threads.

 

[packinkimber45]

measure each bolt and post the results.

also with the rod caps off, inspect the threads, sometimes when the bolts strech, there will be lighter color between the treads, and larger "gap" between the threads.

Do I need to measure the bolts with the cap and nut installed? Also torqued to the proper specs? Or do I measure them without the nuts and caps installed? When I measure them do I measure from end to end (top of bolt head to end of thread) or from bottom of bolt head where it meets the bolt shaft? Also am I okay measuring them without taking them out of the rods? Thanks.

 

[BogusSVO]

measure them from the top of the bolt to the bottom, no cap, no nuts a relaxed lemgth

 

[packinkimber45]

Okay. I will check them as soon as I can and post my results. Thanks.

 

[packinkimber45]

Okay I checked the rod bolt lengths as accurately as I could given the rods are still in the block. Measured them as you said from the top of the rod bolt to the end of the bolt (overall length including bolt head). They are as follows:

Rod #1
2.224 in/ 2.223 in

Rod #2
2.225 in/ 2.224 in

Rod #3
2.225 in/ 2.224 in

Rod #4
2.223 in/ 2.223 in

What's the verdict?... Fingers crossed... Thanks.