Reply To: 2hp knock

[Don]

OK, so rod cap misalignment seems out of the question…Like you said, you never removed the liner, so it will only fit one way…Nonetheless, that liner looks to have been overheated, so should be replaced…
How about this for a test: Simply reinstall the piston into the cylinder and reinstall the original needles/liner onto the crank, snug up the rod screws…Now, just rock the piston back and forth to check for rod slop on the crank…Again, please make sure you have all the needles, I don’t know how many there are off hand but can look it up if you need me to…Like frank says, use petroleum jelly on the needles to keep them in place during installation…If all seems OK, then I would try to find a new liner/needle set… Don’t forget to torque the rod to spec, which isn’t very much…
Keep in mind that the wrist pin end of that rod had a needle bearing also, perhaps that is worn and is sloppy…Wear is not that likely, unless caused by rust…I’m assuming you had a look at it when you replaced the piston…Any chance some of the needles fell out when you replaced the piston? I’m pretty sure those needles are captured in there and should not have been able to fall out, but anything is possible….