I was wondering what is the best way to mark an aluminum connecting rod?? When I took them out I used a sharpie marker to note which cylinder, and which way was forward. It seems that my GRP rod don't seem to have a mark, or feature to indicate"forward". I need to take the pistons off the rods and clean them, I'm trying to reassemble my 470, a couple of months ago I had some problems that showed up on the dyno, now I'm getting it back together. I just want to make sure the rods go back in , the same hole, and facing the right way. A friend said use an engraver, another said paint, and another said knock a dimple onto the forward side..... Definately not the last suggestion......What do you think??? For now I put a piece of clear tape over the info. but that will not last when they go to the solvent tank. Pistons have the number stamped on bottom from when TA put the short block together, plus they have valve reliefs, so I can figure out the pistons. Thanks Gary G.
Gary, use a LETTER/NUMBER STAMPING SET available cheap from Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com . You should stamp the side or edge of the rod that is exposed when the motor is rotated. Be sure to stamp both halves of the rod so you can match them up if necessary. This should be done before the rods are unbolted from crank. When marked in the manner it makes reassembly fool proof since you can tell at a glance if it is not correct. Hope this helps Mike
Thank you gentelmen, I was worried marking them, I didn't want to damage them, or cause a stress area, and they look so awesome!! I went to Harbor Freight, bought the stamps, marked the cylinder number, and the "v" sideways makes a great "forward" arrow. Moving right along, should have short block back together within a week, trying to get done to go PSCA racing, first race is in Phoenix, if not that one it's off to Vegas in March. I'm going to start off running their Open Comp. Class, then see how competive my nitrous 470ci can be in the other classes. I appreciate this Board. Thanks, Gary G
