Rod alignment

[Flathead]

Originally Posted by kenparker0703

Does this small "notch" work the same when someone notches the rod on the shank to indicate whether it is for number one, two,three or four cylinder.? What i have seeen is usually done with a small grinder or chisel. ken

That technique is no longer acceptable, If you have marked rods polish those marks away and don't leave any new marks.
The analogy about how glass is cut is 100% right. I remember watching an automotive machine shop tech doing that back in the 60's and I thought it didn't seem like a good idea but I was young and not going to challenge him.

[Jim Brierley]

Interesting story Pete, and very true. If the guy had babbitted the Pontiacs, as most did, they should have been straight when the babbitt was cut.
I don't know if you knew Wes Cooper? I was at his shop one day when he was building B engine using Pontiac rods, he simply used Pontiac inserts with another, different, insert inside of the Pontiacs. Not the way I would recommend, but I guess it worked. I've also seen him lighten valves by just using a common bench grinder, with just holding the valve head against the wheel. For some reason he had a pretty good reputation as an engine builder, he specialized on Cragars.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

Interesting story Pete, and very true. If the guy had babbitted the Pontiacs, as most did, they should have been straight when the babbitt was cut.
I don't know if you knew Wes Cooper? I was at his shop one day when he was building B engine using Pontiac rods, he simply used Pontiac inserts with another, different, insert inside of the Pontiacs. Not the way I would recommend, but I guess it worked. I've also seen him lighten valves by just using a common bench grinder, with just holding the valve head against the wheel. For some reason he had a pretty good reputation as an engine builder, he specialized on Cragars.

I didn't know Wes but had heard of him. I can understand lightening valves on a bench grinder. I ground my first cam on a bench grinder when I was in high school. It was faster than my friend's Winfield in the same engine.

[Jim Brierley]

Originally Posted by Pete

I didn't know Wes but had heard of him. I can understand lightening valves on a bench grinder. I ground my first cam on a bench grinder when I was in high school. It was faster than my friend's Winfield in the same engine.

A friend ground a cam on a lawn mower sharpener, it ran pretty well but had more lift but not much more duration.