Rod big end I D

[Garys1969RR]

Just tore apart my 1977-440 engine that came in my RR. It is a cast crank motor, and the connecting rod big ends have symbols where the numbers should be. It has Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, and Spades on one bank. Then the other bank has an octagon, square with a knob, and 2 others. Why did they do this and has anyone else seen this system? Will these rods work with a steel crankshaft? Ok thanks for any help. And is there a master reference as to which rod goes where? I wrote down Like #7 was a diamond I believe.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yes, that is a factory marking system. I had a 77 400 steel crank engine that was virgin with 77 date coded bearings. Never been apart. It also had the playing card markings and the shapes as well. Also on mine was the infamous maltese cross. A lot of people mistakenly think it has an HP meaning of sorts, when it does not. It simply denotes an undersized bearing from the factory. Mine had a .001" under size rod bearing. You're not seeing things. That's factory stuff. lol

 

[Garys1969RR]

OK thanks, Rusty. So does that mean they are all under size? Or just 1 of them? Do I need to measure the crankshaft rod journals? And was thinking about getting some steel number stamps to mark the rods on the other side of the big end. Thats in case some thing happens to my reference notes. But I did mark the piston tops with their respective cyl bore position. Ok

 

[RustyRatRod]

It means at least one. And yes, the rods for cast and steel cranks are interchangable.