Quick question on 2g crank & girdle install

Onefast99gsx · 05-06-2007

Hey guys-

I'm installing the crank and pistons today finally. I bought all new main bolts. My question is in regards to the head on the bolts themselves because 2 of them are a smaller socket size than the rest. It's been 4 months since I tore this all apart and I forgot. Do those 2 smaller heads go on the rear main end or the front main?

Thanks for any quick help.

Pushit2.0 · 05-07-2007

The 14mm head size bolts go on the flywheel end. The 17mm socket would have a hard time clearing the block.

~John

Onefast99gsx · 05-08-2007

Thanks alot John. I really appreciate your input on this. Crank is in. I did everything by the book. I have the exact amount of end play that the manual calls for. So far so good. I have the pistons in too but I'm gonna take them back out. I just don't feel safe reusing the rod bolts. I did put new main bolts in though. So I ordered new rod bolts. I stopped by my engine builder and he said when I replace the OEM rod bolts with brand new OEM rod bolts, that I need to check the rod to make sure it's within spec. He said with the piston out, you need to put the rod cap on and check it with an inside micrometer.

I don't understand why you would need to do that when you are just replacing the rod bolts with OEM ones. It's the same identical bolt except you're putting new ones in.

Anyone care to elaborate or explain why?

Pushit2.0 · 05-08-2007

Is it a 97+ shortblock? If so the thrust washer design is a lot nicer then the older design with the thrust face built into the main bearing shell. I check the thrust face with a feeler gauge on both sides to make sure everything is in square. The machine shop guy was just telling you to be sure and double check, which does not hurt, but if you are installing OEM stock rod bolts in stock OEM rods I do not see the need to check your rod bearing clearence again with the new rod bolts. Unless the rod bolts you used to check your clearences befor were stretched and did not put full load on the big end, what was your clearance befor and how did you measure it? Did you have any machine work done to the big end?

~John

Onefast99gsx · 05-08-2007

Hi John- It's a 99 block. I actually did a feeler gauge test on all the journals and the thrust bearings and it's perfectly in spec and I rest comfortably with that.

Since no machining was done on the rod journals, no checking was done. I just put a new set of ACL Aluglide STD size rod bearings in.

The only machining that was was the main bearing journals on the crank (.010"). I did install the main bearings and clamped the girdle down without the crank in it and he checked everything with an inside micrometer and everything was perfectly in spec as far as the crank goes.