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Installation
and Maintenance of BME Forged Aluminum Connecting Rods
We take great pride in manufacturing our connecting rods. A little care
during installation will result in extremely long service life. If you have
any questions about the installation or proper use of BME connecting rods,
please Bill Miller Engineering (775) 887-1299.
Please, note the following information:
Clearances:
| Minimum main and
rod bearing vertical clearance: |
.003" |
| Minimum side
clearance, per pair: |
.016" |
| Minimum wrist-pin
clearance: |
.0006" |
| Minimum
piston-to-head clearance: |
.060" |
| Minimum
rod-to-block and rod-to-camshaft clearance: |
.060" |
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Inspect BME Forged Aluminum Connecting Rods before installation. If
you have any questions about their condition, call Bill Miller
Engineering at (775) 887-1299.
In BME Rods, use only high quality rod bearings intended for
aluminum connecting rods. Bill Miller Engineering recommends Clevite
77 high-performance, rod and main bearings. |
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During assembly of a BME rod, proper rod bolt lubrication is
absolutely critical. Use only high-quality racing engine oil for for
this purpose. Do not use moly-based assembly lubricants. Do not use
antiseize. Do not use any lubricant other than racing oil or rod
damage may occur.
Bill Miller Engineering recommends Red Line SAE30 Race Oil or Red
Line Liquid Assembly Lube for rod bolt lubrication. BME is not
responsible for damage due to use of improper lubricants. |
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Assembly:
| (1) |
Disassemble each rod.
Blow the parts clean of contaminants with shop air. Pay special
attention to the serrated mating surfaces and rod bolt holes. If the
connecting rod or bolts must be cleaned, use only a solvent bath.
use any aqueous cleaning process, aerosol "brake clean"
products, MEK, acetone, lacquer thinner or any caustic cleaning
process, such as "hot tanking", as all of these will cause
the connecting rod bolts to corrode which may lead to
stress-corrosion cracking and bolt failure. |
| (2) |
If serrated surfaces are slightly damaged
during installation or usage they may be dressed with a small,
jeweler's file. |
| (3) |
Apply lubricant to all serrated surfaces, all
bolt threads, all washer seats in rod caps, all threads in the rod's
big end and both sides of washers |
| (4) |
Install washers on the bolts with the
chamfered, inside-diameter toward the bolt head. |
| (5) |
Assemble the rod cap to the beam and lightly
snug the bolts making sure that large chamfer on the rod faces the
crankshaft cheek. |
| (6) |
As an aid for cap alignment and bolt
tightening, two feeler gauges of the proper thickness should be
inserted between the pair of rods at the parting lines. |
| (7) |
Tighten all rod bolts to the torque
specifications listed below in one smooth pull. Do not tighten in
steps or increments. Doing so will produce improper bolt elongation
and reduce clamping force. |
Recommended rod bolt
torque:
#265 Forging (3/8-24 x 1.800
bolt): 55 ft./lbs. or .0055" bolt stretch
#396 Forging (7/16-20 x 2.000 bolt): 75 ft./lbs. or.0060" bolt
stretch
#426 Forging (7/16-20x 2.000 bolt): 75 ft./lbs. or .0060" bolt
stretch)
#426 Forging for blown fuel or blown alcohol applications: (7/16-20
x 2.250 bolts, 2K-2 material) 100 ft./lbs. or .0080" stretch
#500 Forging (7/16-20 x 2.000 bolt): 75 ft./lbs. or .0060" bolt
stretch.
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NOTE:
Actual bolt stretch can exceed recommendation by .0005".
With rods bolts used in blown fuel or blown alcohol engines,
call BME for special instructions. (775) 887-1299. Ask for
Bill
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Maintenance:
| (1) |
Do not hot torque bolts on BME rods. If you do
so, as the rod cools; the bolt will lose some of its preload. If you
over torque the bolt you may permanently damage it. |
| (2) |
Under no circumstances should you re-serrate
the mating surfaces. If bearing housing distortion should occur,
return the rods to BME for resizing. |
| (3) |
If the intended
application is endurance racing, we strongly recommend that oil
temperature be maintained between 160 and 180�F. |
| (4) |
Repairs to connecting rods should be performed
by BME. |
| (5) |
If the engine is to be stored for any period of
time (over winter, etc.) it is recommended to remove the rods, clean
thoroughly in solvent, oil all parts and store with the bolts at
least one turn loose. |
If you have any questions about maintenance
of our rods, please call us.
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Due to the extreme stress to which BME parts
are subjected, Bill Miller Engineering does not offer any warranty,
either expressed or implied, for any of its products. Bill Miller
Engineering neither represents nor warrants any of its products as
to their merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Bill
Miller Engineering expressly disclaims, without limitation, any and
all liability for consequential or incidental damages of any nature
with may arise out of the use of its products. |
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