Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

Swapping sides for piston/rod assembly.

Old Nov 25, 2024 | 06:25 PM
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Default Swapping sides for piston/rod assembly.

I am rebuilding an ls4 for a swap into my 88 fiero and have a question. The engine is in very good shape but it is torn down. I have noticed the piston skirts are scuffed considerably more on the outside/lower side/gravity side than the inside. Good old piston slap I presume. I am at the point where I am ready to reinstall the pistons and was wondering if I could swap sides so the outside had the less wear side of the coating. These are the stock flat top pistons and the rods were not removed from teardown. Is swapping the sides possible or will it mess up the dynamic balance of the crank/assembly?
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Old Nov 25, 2024 | 06:45 PM
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It will not hurt the balance at all. Just make sure the dots face the front and your ok. I am to ASSume your doing a re-ring/bearing type of rebuild here? I’m moving this to Gen4 internal…
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Old Nov 26, 2024 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Che70velle
It will not hurt the balance at all. Just make sure the dots face the front and your ok. I am to ASSume your doing a re-ring/bearing type of rebuild here? I’m moving this to Gen4 internal…
Thanks for the reply. Yes, this rebuild has all new bearings, rings, bolts and seals throughout. I went ahead and installed them where they came from. The wear on the coatings was not as bad as I thought. Also, swapping sides like I was thinking may have messed with the rod sides and where they ran. One side of the rod runs against the other, the other side runs against the crank etc. That would be backwards. That with the thought of the balance, just didn't want that to be on my mind all throughout the build and during use. Easier on my mind to put them where the came from.

Thanks for the input though!
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Old Nov 27, 2024 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by BHalli71
Thanks for the reply. Yes, this rebuild has all new bearings, rings, bolts and seals throughout. I went ahead and installed them where they came from. The wear on the coatings was not as bad as I thought. Also, swapping sides like I was thinking may have messed with the rod sides and where they ran. One side of the rod runs against the other, the other side runs against the crank etc. That would be backwards. That with the thought of the balance, just didn't want that to be on my mind all throughout the build and during use. Easier on my mind to put them where the came from.

Thanks for the input though!
LS rod direction is irrelevant. The OEM cranks don’t have a radius on the journal edge, so the rod bearings are not offset and the rod edges aren’t profiled for the radius. You can turn them anyway you want. Sounds like you’ve got it back together now and all is well. 👍🏻
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