Hello folks

I hope this is not a stupid question.
We are in the process of rebuilding 49 8BA ,I notice the con rods
appear to have been welded over what I think is the oil squirt hole
What gives?

Allan

 

Pictures would help

 

It can't be good...

Are these the holes on the big end? Maybe a hail-Mary attempt to improve oil pressure? I can't think of anything else.

 

Yeahhh, those holes sorta need to be there. That's what lubes the camshaft and tappets. Modern oils with their low ZDDP levels are hard enough on cams the way they are let alone cutting off most of their lube completely. I think I'd try to find a good used set of rods rather than open them back up. Unless it is done under carefully controlled conditions, welding on cast iron is a bad idea on a critical high-stress piece like a connecting rod. It can cause microscopic stress fractures if it cools too quickly. Smells to me like an extra hole in an oil pan waiting to happen.

 

If you need replacement rods: Stock Rod 7" Set of 8 | SF Flatheads | SoCal Sacramento

 

The stock rods are forgings, so you could open the holes back up, but the holes need to be a specific size. Depending whether they just laid a bead over the top of the hole or really got penetration, they might need re-drilling. Welding may have distorted the big end out-of-round, too. All in all, swapping to a different set is likely the economical way to go.

38 Coupe, I am shocked that those are brand new! Chinese? Unbelievable price. Any experience?

 

I believe I will try to drill them out ,resize and balance .
whats the worst that can happen
I'll bloww another engine up

 

Well, then why drill them out? 59 engines used essentially the same rods with no holes. The holes were added when they upgraded to the bigger oil pump in 8BAs.

 

Those are new rods out of the French flatheads. The French government kept using flatheads in their military vehicles into the 1980s. Most all the flathead parts shown on that website are military surplus. I have purchase a set of French rods for one of my projects and they look good. Why recondition rods when you can buy a whole new set for the same price?