IH 504 rods

[jzdieseltech94]

Are the connecting rods in a 1963 504 gas supposed to be put in facing a certain direction? I am assembling an engine I did not take apart. Thanks Jake

 

[Janicholson]

In most engines that I have rebuilt the numbered (or marked) side of the big end was facing the cam side of the block. If it is a
cam in head, I was careful to note piston markings indicating front of engine (usually a small notch, or "front", or F, or arrow).
If your rods are on the pistons, there should be those markings. Jim

 

[jzdieseltech94]

Ok thanks I'll put the number towards the cam then

 

[Janicholson]

Look for the piston marking. Piston pin holes are almost always intentionally offset to the down stroke side of the crank
rotation. those few thousandths of an inch make a difference. If the rods are still on the pistons you are using, and front is
marked go with it. Jim

 

[n9lhm]

That's interesting. I'm ashamed to admit I never knew that, and I've been wrenching on engines for years. I always wondered why pistons were marked to put a particular side toward the front, and I've always put them in the way they were marked, but I never knew what the difference was. Brian

 

[Janicholson]

Thrust side, being the side of the cylinder that the piston wedges against when shoving the rod against the crank journal. Google Piston Pin Offset. Jim

 

[jzdieseltech94]

Jim good info thanks. I put the pistons in with the arrow forward. This tractor was in a million pieces when I got it and the old rods and Pistons were missing and we never did find them

 

[Janicholson]

Thanks, at least there are manuals, and us YTers with stuff stuck in our heads from youth (usually from necessity). Jim

 

[rustred]

that is a yes, due to the major and minor thrust sides in an engine. the major side is pressure on the piston to wall from the power sroke. the minor side is the pressure on the wall from the compression stroke which is less than the power stroke.
the piston pin is slightly moved to the major thrust side to compensate for wear from pressure on the power or combustion .
that is why rods are marked from factory. when i see no #'s i mark them. always leary when you are not the first guy in an engine.