Hi. Any help please. I have a 1952 long block 331. I had to drop the sump to investigate an oil pump problem but found something else ! I just checked that all the big ends caps were nice and free sideways but found one which was very tight. It can’t be moved by hand or even tapped sideways. When I dropped the big end I found very odd markings on the bearing. The engine is newly rebuilt and has only been run 5 or 6 times for short periods. I will attach a picture of the bearings. Any ideas please on what the problem is please. ? I found that the bearing in the end cap is very slightly higher than the end cap on one side. It seems that when the end cap is tightened up this traps the bearing against the crank bearing ? Is this a con rod problem or something else . Many thanks.
Can you get a feeler gauge blade between the rod thrust surfaces, or between the rod and crankshaft thrust surfaces? Do the rods float properly on the piston wrist pins? Are rod ends number stamped and do the rod caps have the matching number on them?
Several possible candidates, a better explanation of the level and extent of the rebuild would be helpful, also what the “problem” was with the pump. Parts is parts, but some older engines have peculiarities when it comes to ***embly, pistons have an orientation and possibly the rods too, obviously rods and cap must stay together as matched sets and mains have their position and orientation as well, then there’s timing stuff. It possible the problem could be as simple as an incorrect rod shell or more involved, at the minimum I’d pull the cap on the adjacent rod on that journal and do some careful measurements comparing the problem one to the other, get some plastigauge and check the clearance.
Rod orientation is directional. Each rod and cap should be stamped with numbers 1-8. Is the number on this rod on the same side as all the others?
With all due respect, newly rebuilt can mean a number of things. His story it was, your story to believe, and the real story about what was done, how it was done and who actually done it. You asked for ideas on the problem... and seemingly got some good ones. I think the problem is it sounds like some screwed someone over. Yeah...it sounds like a someone done somebody wrong song and you're the one left hold a big ol' bag of wrong. If it makes you feel any less ****py, I got burnt once to. Happens to the nicest of people trusting the wrong people. My story was he was going to provide me with a good used motor... It wasn't. I'm sure if they pressure washed it and gave it fresh paint they might have said newly rebuilt? Here's what a new one looks like inside.
The Jalopy Journal
