New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

[TrickyRicky]

Rebuilding my 1979 Johnson 55hp . Been waiting all week for the 2 connecting rods.Got them today. Ready to assembly but wait is this a crack!
I used a pick to show the crack start and finish in the pics

I noticed a hair crack in the connecting rod cap for 1 rod? Should I definitely not use it? I am afraid it might come apart. The original rods had no cracks just corrosion.
Is this an OEM rod or Aftermarket?
I was ready to go on the assembly but now AGGGHH!
I have 1 good original rod but it looks slightly different and feels a tad heavier.I really want them to match
Please advise

 

[F_R]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

If you are sure that definatly is a crack, under no circumstances should you use it. You probably paid good money for that rod, and why take a chance of destroying the powerhead because of somebody elses' fault/problem?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

I agree. I would exchange it

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

I can't really tell from the photos whether it is a casting mark or a crack. If you have any thoughts at all of using the part, I would do a dye penetrate test at a minimum, or a magniflux test as a better indicator. That considered, it seems to me that exchanging the part would be an easier and safer solution.

 

[TrickyRicky]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

Hard to see from photos, I am 100% sure this is a crack. By eye it doesn't go through to the inside but does go 90% across the outside. I am speculating, but it seems the rod caps are molded together with the rod as 1 piece and then snapped apart.Then they are machined to spec. The complete random jagged edge of each side of the rod leads me to believe this. I did get a good price on Flea Bay but didn't get a good part.
This deflates my week end. I was going to have it running tomorrow but now it will be another week DANG.

 

[nwcove]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

fleabay? could it be a rod that didnt make it past QC, but somehow ended up in someones lunchbox.....destined to be sold ?

 

[TrickyRicky]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help


Cove I know you are smart. Look what was written on the box! Wow! Looks good from here.HAHA on me

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

are you sure its not just a scratch ?

have a look under a microscope, if it definitely looks like an hairline crack then go buy another rod..

never ever ever use any internals that your not 100% sure of.

Its not something that is just cosmetic, this could be a engine destruction item.

i know it sounds like a bad scenario , but youve gone to all the trouble of splitting the engine down and
getting everything else right just to take a chance on something that you think is definitely going to cause trouble.

BUT under a microscope you might find its just a simple scratch through floating around in the box.

hope it turns out to be a good rod for you.

to me from the pic it looks like a simple scratch, but do make sure.
rub it down with a bit of 1200 and then polish it, youl soon see if its a crack.

its not all doom and gloom though, as rods can make great looking trophy stands.
and if this is bad you can mount it on a nice mahogany plinth, place on top of tv.
it will remind you NOT to buy special cheap internals from fleabay !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



phill......

 

[TrickyRicky]

Re: New connecting rod with hair crack in cap USE or NOT? Help

You got me on the cheap internals. I am tighter than a bongo drum right now so I try to save a buck when I can. Off to SEa **y to buy 2 more rods. ope I get a refund for these.