Separating rod and caps.

[Andy302]

Has anyone got any good ideas on how I can separate my rod caps? Ive just tried to get on of the new ones off and it aint shifting!:angry: Rods are assembled to pistons (me thinks I should have done this first!).

Cheers Guys!

[TINKA]

Very carefully. As I recall mine were very tight as there is a shoulder on the con rod which the cap is pressed on to when the caps are tightened up.I think I ended up putting a piece of timber each side of the con rod and holding it in the vice, and then gently taping it side to side with a hide mallet till it started to move and then I could just pull it off. If you do try this make sure you hold the con-rod in the vice at the level it will separate from the cap as the last thing you want to do is risk damaging anything. HTH

[mikey]

If you are using Eagle or similar the interference fit is significant. Dont think it is you that is getting it wrong. When i did my last engine at Kennys, we couldn't separate the caps initially. We faxed Eagle and the reply came back that they normally send them loosely attached. Eagle do a special tool, but Kenny managed to get mine separated in the end - it may be worth giving him a bell as it may be that they needed slightly more grief than you expect to be giving them.

Have you tried loosening the nuts but leaving most of the thread in the not and giving them an equalised whack

Mike

[Andy302]

Thanks Martin Ill give that a go!

[Andy302]

Mike,

yes these are Eagle and they are anything but loosely attached! The rod nuts were torques as well! Had to stop as too much blood is escaping! looking for a cheap rod separating tool now!

Cheers

[neil still building it]

ouch andy that sounds painfull....
neil
more for you than the rod i suspect.....

[Andy302]

Right update, after a fair time whacking the end of the bolts "lightly" Ive managed to get one done. All I have to do now is bandage my fingers up and get on with no 2! Injury caused by the piston skirt digging in on every whack but Id rather damage me than the piston, I heal!

Have found that Adrians method works well (phoned him up, good lad!). Undo nuts leaving a few threads engaged, thread rod onto an longish hammer handle or similar shaped bit of wood, squat down placing handle across thighs and hit the nuts alternately and evenly with a hide of similar soft head mallet. Sod all happens for a while then they start to open up. Then I gently encourage the gap to increase by careful use of a screw driver! Im sure its not ideal but its working!

Everytime I do something I think, thats the hard bit over and then guess what!!

cheers