Club 80-90 Forums

Just about to reasemble my engine (1.6 CT), but my connecting rods have been mixed up! I know that the each half has numbers and must match up...891 412 862 359. and there is a notch designating the top. But which cylinder goes with with rod? I.e 891 for cylinder 1. Anyhelp will stop me smashing my wifes head with a crankshaft.

Ahh... Now I believe my friend that you have a problem!
There isn't any particular order... In fact, if i'm honest, there's no order!
Which does leave you with a problem because not all con rods are equal. Minor casting and machining differences can result in them being slightly longer or shorter... or both... all mixed up in one engine! Can cause a problem if not fitting new bores as lip on top of bore can get caught by the piston rings if con rod is slightly longer.
There could also be an issue with wear on the big ends being uneven... But I won't go there as I'm guessing it's not sounding too good already!
I'm guessing you are already aware of these problems though... Or you wouldn't be asking which way round they go!

Now... are you feeling lucky?

Lucky is your only hope here. I always got into a routine with numbering absolutely everything and keeping them in order for all the above reasons. You could just chance your luck or be looking at reground crank, new bearings etc etc as outlined above...

Alternative is measuring con rods and seeing if there are any clues in the bores as to which may have had slightly longer reach but its a lottery.

Thanks guys!Ive weighed them and supposedly you cant have more that 10 g between the heaviest and ligtest so thats ok. But now Im off to get that crankshaft.