MTFCA Forum

Any one know what the specs are for a T connecting rod is from centre - centre, small end to big end ?
Need to make an alignment jig for welding Chevy / T
Rods

Center to center length is 7”

I have copies of all the Record of Change cards and prints for Model T rods; T-641, T-641A and T-641B
The length specification from center of cranksahft journal end to center of piston pin end to be 6.998 to 7.002 inches and each print specifically states "with broaching shim in place".
Ron Patterson

Thanks for the info, for this purpose a length of 7.00 will do fine

As I had mentioned at the very end of this thread about shortening rods, you may not be able to trust the mating surfaces of the big end. I suggest that you get a depth mic and a dowel pin to measure if there is an offset, and factor this into your welding fixture. Also, expect that the rods will shrink about .020” when cool. You should also machine the big end of the rod prior to babbiting, this will minimize the risk of striking iron when finish boring

https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic. ... 32#p273732

Thanks Kevin, good advice.
I have a 28 Chev engine that will be the doner for the rods.
The crankshaft I will be using is from another engine and is ready to grind.
It seems the guys at Chevrolet did things a bit different than Ford. The rods have a spacer about .125” thick between the rod and cap. On this engine there are no shims. It seems that the last rebuilder filed the caps to get the required clearance? Not sure if this was the OEM design or not.
I have a cap grinder and a Sunnen rod sizer. So I should be able to true things up before pouring Babbitt.
I don’t think I feel comfortable assembling the rods without any shims ?!