How to Connect Aluminum Super Rods
The aluminum super rod is a heavy-duty piston connecting rod. The super rod is used in larger horsepower engines that require a more durable connection between the crank and the piston. Connecting these super rods is not complicated, but you must know a lot of engine mechanics to get to the rods in order to replace them.
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Things You'll Need
- Aluminum super rods
- Pistons
- Wrist pins
- Engine lube
- Shop towels
- C-clips
- C-clip pliers
- Ratchet and socket set
- Oil
- Bucket
- Torque wrench
Instructions
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Pull out the crankshaft, piston connecting rods and pistons. This process will vary depending on the engine and the make and model of your vehicle.
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Place a generous amount of engine lubricant on the inside of the small end of the aluminum super rod. Lubricate the alignment holes of the piston with a generous amount of engine lubricant. Slide the small end of the super rod into the slot of the piston. Align the hole on the small end of the super rod with the holes on the piston.
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Lubricate around the entire outside diameter of the wrist pin with a generous amount of engine lubricant. Slide the wrist pin through the piston and the small end of the super rod. Wipe off any excess engine lubricant with a shop towel.
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4
Use the C-clip pliers to install the C-clips to either side of the piston. Ensure you do not bend the C-clips as you insert them in either side of the piston. Push the C-clip into place and release them from the pliers, allowing them to seat into the C-clip grooves of the piston holes. Repeat these steps for each piston and aluminum super rod.
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Reinstall the crankshaft by bolting it down in place and tightening the bolts to the manufacturer's recommended torque with the torque wrench. Turn the engine on one side so one side of the engine cylinders are facing up.
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Unscrew each bolt on either side of the large end of the aluminum super rod. Separate the bushing assembly from the aluminum super rod. Place a small amount of engine oil on the inside diameter of the bushing assembly.
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Poor some engine oil into a bucket and dip the piston in the oil, lubricating all the way around the outside diameter of the piston. Drain off any excess oil and insert the piston and aluminum super rod into one of the cylinders of the engine. Insert the super rod end of the piston in the cylinder first, and slide it down the cylinder until it hit the crankshaft.
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Align the bushing end of the aluminum super rod with the matching offset of the crankshaft. Slide the other half of the super rod bushing over the crankshaft and tighten down to the manufacturer's recommended torque using the torque wrench. Repeat these steps until you have all the super rods and piston in connected to the crankshaft. Rotate the engine over to the opposite side so the empty cylinders are facing up. Repeat these steps again until all the super rods and pistons are connected to the crankshaft.
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Tips & Warnings
You may need to heat the piston holes and aluminum super rod holes with a cutting torch so they will expand, allowing you to slide through the wrist pin easier.
C-clip pliers can be purchased at almost any auto parts store or retail tool outlet.
If you are not replacing the pistons with new ones, have the old pistons cleaned by a machine shop so all the carbon can be removed. Carbon can damage the inside of the cylinder.
Always install the old pistons into the same cylinders of the engine or you can damage the inside of the cylinders.
References
Resources
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