Home › Forum › Ask A Member › crank to rod slack – opinions ? › Re: crank to rod slack – opinions ?
Well, these engines fit together fairly loose when compared to automotive or aircraft stuff….So, it is hard for me to comment on tipping the assembled rods up and down on the crank. Did you check the wrist pins and corresponding piston bores like Frank suggested, I completely overlooked that important point. I would clean up and check the crank before deciding how to proceed. Maybe you can find a damaged powerhead (cylinders scuffed/aluminum corroded) than will provide a decent crank/rods. I would definitely just replace the needles and cages though, with new OEM stuff.
Before getting in too deep, you will want to evaluate the rest of the engine. Start by draining the gear lube (remove the top and bottom fill/vent screws but do not remove that phillips screw!). If the gear lube is milky/pure water, then you will have to disassemble that gearcase as well.