AK's WS6

I was just wondering what would happen if you had loose connecting rod bolts?? Would the bolts over time work their way out and through a rod out the oil pan?? Or would it just spin a bearing?? Would it just start to knock and through a code if it were just a bearing. Thanks

MYTURBOT/A

I threw a rod out the side of the block on a 1st gen 350 because of a torque wrench that was 15lbs lite on it`s calibration. So yes you will probly throw a rod.

AK's WS6

Ouch that sucks!!!! Note to self: don't skimp when buying a TQ wrench.....Can you get to the rod bolts on a ls1 if you drop the pan???

tim99ws6

iTrader: (31)

TTT on that ??

Hugger SS

Are you serious or is this a joke? ...Thats kinda like asking " I wonder what would happen if I only finger tightens my head bolts

AK's WS6

Ha ha, well I must admit I was kinda serious, I knew all hell would break loose, I just wondered how long it would last.....like say 5mi under light throttle or right on startup or 1 quick WOT blast???? The only way to find these things out is to ask, or try it......soooo I asked, you see!!!!

MYTURBOT/A

I had about 300mi on mine when it let go. wasn`t even broke in yet. you should be able to get at the rods if you pull the pan but to do that you probly need to drop the cross member.

slyws6

I know a guy that replaced his pistons and rods by removing the crossmember from under the engine with the engine help up with a jack.

-Sly

Uthinkso

Just pull her back out to be sure. This isn't something you want to play with.

I can't see it living much past your driveway if you had a loose rod bolt.

goober35

iTrader: (1)

Lets see. 3 days or so on down time. A little pocket change for a oil pan gasket.
OR
New block $600-1000 after mechine shop
New rods and pistons after market $1300 or so stock once will cost under 500 used but what is the point
New heads $200 or so for stock once.

Scott Turvey

Cost to drop the crossmember and correctly torque the rod bolts - $0
Cost to rebuild engine when rod bolt lets go (depending on damage)- $2,000-$5000
Fessing up to, and posting a thread about a boo-boo like this - priceless

Nick Agostino

TIME BOMB!! Even if it let go at idle there will be a big mess.

mikey

iTrader: (6)

Hey Nick, good to see you back here!

L-EATER

iTrader: (2)

I had a small block 400 come apart at 6500rpm because of a loose rod bolt when I was in high school. Just like a bomb had went off in the motor. There was NOTHING salvageable. The cam was broke into 7 pieces! I wouldn't advise running it if there loose.

bigoneZ28

...good one

AK's WS6

Ha Scott good one!!! You guys don't even want to know why I am pondering this question.........I just may be a very frusterated gent that is dealing with a horrible case of piston slap and Mr.Goodscrew won't fit the bill for what he fu#ked up and this particular gent who went out on a bit of a limb to afford his dream car don't want to eat the cost of a rebuild prolly not to far down the road!!!!

TeeKay

389 Pontiac BB. Thought it was piston slap after hi-po rebuild. I was lucky, just cost $3,000 for a complete rebuild when the rod cap got twisted to a pretzel at idle. Don't even do it for 2 miles!

AK's WS6

Man it seems yall have had some nasty experiences reguarding this subject!!!! I just hope GM will fix the motor so that guy don't have a story like some of these.