Thread: Tell me the truth about L32 Connecting Rods

Still wouldnt mind an answer if anyone knows guys.

Stand by.....I'm trying to comb over my stuff to try to remember myself.

Alright, this is how my motor is set up.

Cylinders 1, 3, 5, the dots are facing forward. Cylinders 2, 4, 6, the dots face toward the flywheel. This also coincides with what you found on INTENSE's site about the bearing tangs facing the oil pan rail. The tangs they're referring to are the notches that the bearings have, that sit in the machined surface of the rods and keep them from moving side to side as you assemble them, not saying you don't know, but for further clarification in the future. Also, as have been said before, you'll have to watch as you assemble the pistons onto the rods as well. Numbers are the front of the piston, so you will have to make sure you put the correct orientation on the correct bank. As you assemble them, rotate the crank to make sure they don't bind up after torquing every two pistons. I do this just to make sure all clearances are checked, and double checked.
I've got 11,000 miles on my build, and it seems to be holding up ok with no issues.
I hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Reptile

Alright, this is how my motor is set up.

Cylinders 1, 3, 5, the dots are facing forward. Cylinders 2, 4, 6, the dots face toward the flywheel. This also coincides with what you found on INTENSE's site about the bearing tangs facing the oil pan rail. The tangs they're referring to are the notches that the bearings have, that sit in the machined surface of the rods and keep them from moving side to side as you assemble them, not saying you don't know, but for further clarification in the future. Also, as have been said before, you'll have to watch as you assemble the pistons onto the rods as well. Numbers are the front of the piston, so you will have to make sure you put the correct orientation on the correct bank. As you assemble them, rotate the crank to make sure they don't bind up after torquing every two pistons. I do this just to make sure all clearances are checked, and double checked.
I've got 11,000 miles on my build, and it seems to be holding up ok with no issues.
I hope that helps.

Oh excellent, i just got a reply from Intense racing and went a little something like this lol.

''
There should be no contact of the piston to the rod. The rods all have a dot on the beam above the bearing on one side. That dot needs to be facing the front (pulley side) of the engine on all 6 rods. Also make sure the pistons are all facing the right way, they each have the letter “F” stamped on them. The “F” should face the Front of the engine as well.''

That contradicts what they say on their own flippin website lol. They say bearing tangs to pan rail which means the way you've set up yours.

Im gonna go with you. I'll have to pull all the pistons apart and swing them around again lol. Mine is set up exactly opposite you yours ATM. I went with how most other rods go, big chamfer on big end to the closest main bearing. Now it will be the opposite which is weird but if your motor is running then im going for that lol.

With the pistons, they have an F on each one. So i have put the F to the front of each piston. Thats right isnt it? Theres numbers on the inside of the pistons next to the wrist pin but i thought you just followed the F.

You know, at the end of the day, I'm not really sure it matters. I mean, the rods are basically symmetrical. I know someone that put all dots facing forward (just talked to him on the phone) and the engine has 30k on it. I also don't know about the pistons, or if they differ between the states and Australia. I know that I've only paid attention to the numbers that are etched into the top of the pistons, I don't recall any F stamped into them off the top of my head. It seems that if you ask 10 different people how to assemble an engine, you're probably gonna get 4-5 different answers.

I can also quote GM's online service manual, that states "the connecting rod can be installed in either direction", but doesn't explain that the pistons are directional.
I'm by no means an expert, I flub up as much as the other "experts" but I will normally obsess over something until I know it's right. Like I know you're doing right now.

Originally Posted by Reptile

You know, at the end of the day, I'm not really sure it matters. I mean, the rods are basically symmetrical. I know someone that put all dots facing forward (just talked to him on the phone) and the engine has 30k on it. I also don't know about the pistons, or if they differ between the states and Australia. I know that I've only paid attention to the numbers that are etched into the top of the pistons, I don't recall any F stamped into them off the top of my head. It seems that if you ask 10 different people how to assemble an engine, you're probably gonna get 4-5 different answers.

I can also quote GM's online service manual, that states "the connecting rod can be installed in either direction", but doesn't explain that the pistons are directional.
I'm by no means an expert, I flub up as much as the other "experts" but I will normally obsess over something until I know it's right. Like I know you're doing right now.

So true lol.

The pistons arent stock they are forged and machined Diamond Racing 8.0:1. As you know they come from the States.

Ah, well that makes sense then. I've never messed with Diamonds....too much coin for me to drop on internals like that. I bargain shop on everything that I buy.

Originally Posted by Reptile

Ah, well that makes sense then. I've never messed with Diamonds....too much coin for me to drop on internals like that. I bargain shop on everything that I buy.

Hehe i know what you mean.

I probably should post up what im actually doing but the car isnt Pontiac lol.

Is it Holden?

You're right, it's not Pontiac, but it'll have a Buick based heartbeat.

Originally Posted by Reptile

Is it Holden?

You're right, it's not Pontiac, but it'll have a Buick based heartbeat.

Yeah its a Holden with an L36 same as you fellas.

Yes ive put the motor together today. Rods face forwards.

Should be good.

Hehe mate if you ever come down here let me know!

Originally Posted by GR8racingfool

Should work either way.

Mine are 1/2 and 1/2. Half of mine are facing one way on one side, the other way on the other side. I have made countless road trips far and near, and many passes down the 1/4 track at speeds in excess of 100 MPH. (who hasn't right)

Several oil chances since my build, and not a speck of copper in the oil. If it, the direction of the rods were wrong with my build, then I would be "panning for gold" by now with the copper from the bearings getting shredded to bits.

Like reptile said...its probably good either way you do it.

The L32 rod bolts shipped out today. I wish the box was bigger, I would have liked to hope in there and go with them. I'd like to go to Australia sometime.

~F~