Date:         Tue, 13 Jun 2000 21:07:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: Connecting Rod Torque?
Comments: To: Walter Gomes <wgomes@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Walter,

These instructions are for new "torque to stretch" rod bolts.  Do not
reuse your old bolts, they only stretch once!

Buy new bolts from the dealer, these cannot be reused.  See the Bentley
for the difference in appearance of conventional versus torque to
stretch bolts.  There is no reason not to use the 1.9 conventional bolts
instead, particularly if the price is better.  Just don't do the "extra
half turn" past the spec for the 1.9 rod bolts.

Walter Gomes wrote:
>
> Hello Volks,
> I'm currently reassembling my 86 "Miles'" (as in "that's a whole bunch of me
> and you should have done this sooner")
>
> How much torque goes on the rod nuts? Bentley says 22 ft-lbs and a half
> turn. Well, I did the 22 but that half turn (180 degrees?) is a woof! My
> little in-pound torque wrench is clicking at its limit of 50 ft-lbs (600
> in-lbs) and I've only got about 165 degrees around. Big nasty fords only get
> 45 ft-lbs! All the bearings seem relatively free, but this just doesn't feel
> right.
>
> Am I stretching the bolts out of whack or is this just the kind of torque to
> be expected?
>
>  I had the rods reconditioned and balanced at Rimco who did all my
> air-cooled machine work (this is not an air-cooled machine). They faced,
> honed, bushed and balanced them and replaced the nuts. Boston Bob sees:
> "REPLACE THE BOLTS OR DIE" <feel free to correct any misquote Bob>
> Do I need to pull these puppies back out and drive back down to Santa Ana
> for new bolts (and more honing) to keep from ventilating my case? Have I
> just answered my own question?

--
Stuart MacMillan

'84 Westy
'65 MGB
'73 MGB GT