Re: Wes's Maroon 1947 Custom Super Clipper

Posted by ScottG On 2012/12/8 23:53:10

Just out of curiosity, do you know if your torque wrench is accurate? It seems that an out of spec wrench might be enough to keep those castellated nuts from lining up properly with the holes in the con rod bolts. If you can, borrow a good quality wrench (Snap-on, etc.) that is known to be accurate and see if there's any difference in your results. Maybe it won't make a difference, but it sure would be the easiest solution to your dilemma.

Other than that, I'd follow O_D's advice. Just don't over-torque the nuts to make up the difference. If you do, I suspect what's left of your con rod bearings will drain out of the oil pan during your next oil change.

One other question: I know just enough about engines to be dangerous so I may be totally wrong here...but I was always under the impression that removing con rod caps or main caps and then reinstalling said caps without checking clearances (via Plastigage or similar method) would create problems with the needed clearances between the bearings and the journal surfaces. Can one of the wise sages here let me know if I'm off the mark?

Lastly, Wes, your videos have been fantastic and I will surely be referring back to them as I (hopefully!) begin work on my '47 Custom. Please, keep up the great work!

-Scott G