161 connecting rod

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

Hi all pretty soon I will get rolling on the k161 rebuild are the connecting rods all the same or the bore will determine that.I know their are two #s one standard and one for .010  but what if the bore is more  I guess you use the second option for all oversized pistons . Thanks

[stevasaurus 22,962]

In the case of the connecting rods...if you have the journal turned on the crank shaft, then you need to order the correct connecting rod to fit the newly turned journal.  The Machinist will tell you which is right.  The piston end of the connecting rods are all the same.  The machinist will also tell you what piston to order.  

[richmondred01 2,280]

Unless you can find a NOS rod, current replacement rods only come in .010 over. (Several us old guys have them squirreled away but they no longer make rods .020 and above).

Piston and rings are available up to .030.

K161/181 are non adjustable valves so they will have to be fitted. Additionally, the vast majority of the 161 and 181 engines, that I rebuild, require valve guides.

Be prepared to have it bored, crank ground, new guides knocked in and valve seats ground. 

no sense of doing it if it’s not done right. 
 

Edited May 24, 2020 by richmondred01

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

Okay thanks I didnt plan on valve guides but I dont think that should be a problem everything else will be new crankshaft camshaft ,planned on having cylinder bored,valve seats done  right now existing piston is standard so their is a difference between STD and 0.010 on rod , starting to get a feeling I might be in over my head ,kind of got alot tied up in this motor so far and I'm still haven't had it machined yet Thanks for the response

[richmondred01 2,280]

I don’t understand.

You have a “new” crankshaft?

If the crankshaft is new then it should be standard and you shouldn’t need it turned. 
 

 

Edited May 24, 2020 by richmondred01

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

I didnt plan on turning old crank I was installing new. just wanted cyl bore,valve seats new piston ,rings I guess I'll know more once I can hook up with a machinist 

[richmondred01 2,280]

A new crank or new rod.?
 

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

I  planned  on installing  everything new but I have a standard piston now  and after the bore I thought I would have to go to a 0.10 over piston and the rod seems to be available in standard and 0.10  just didnt know what the bore relation to rod size would matter this is my first attempt at this just trying to cut down on learning curve Thanks

[richmondred01 2,280]

The rod is dependent on the crankshaft journal not the piston.

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

Oh I understand I appreciate  your patience. Once I track down a machinist  I guess I'll have a better understanding of the whole process. 

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

 

 

Hi guys at the bottom of the oil pan found these 2 pcs of aluminum looks like they came from rod assembly, I'm not sure if they are supposed  to act as a paddle or they act as a lock . Thanks again for your continued help

[richmondred01 2,280]

Well now that's something new. 

Thats not from the rod and shouldn't be in there. 

 

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

I'm not sure if you can tell from pic but  at the 2 bolts the ends look like it broke off of those two ends

Edited May 25, 2020 by Elliot Garfinkel
Forgot pic

[richmondred01 2,280]

Ok. Makes sense now. The photo is deceiving. It's the lock for the rod nuts.

they look larger then they really are

Edited May 25, 2020 by richmondred01

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

Ok thanks so the new ones have it and after the nuts are tightened (torqued)they get bent to lock the nuts.Do they usually break off or was it hitting the bottom of the pan. Thanks again for your help

[richmondred01 2,280]

Only if you have a NOS Kohler.

after market ones have bolts not nuts. 

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

Okay thanks really appreciate the come back,trying to get it right

[c-series don 9,250]

I believe I have the proper connecting rod NOS and I’m less than an hour away. I’ll check the part number on the box. Check to see what it should be. I’m in Southampton with the largest collection of Wheel Horses on Long Island! 

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

Hi don thanks for reply I ordered one already but  nowadays that always dont mean anything.I spoke with you over the winter about finding a machinest.i had told you if I find one I'll pass the name along you gave me a name of a guy in Hampton bays but I spoke with someone in deerpark who said he could do it.Im still hesitant and might need someone to reassemble which I might have but I'm really looking for someone who has done a lot of these.will let you know if the machinest works out.Thanks for the offer and if it dont work out I'll take you up on the part

[richmondred01 2,280]

2 minutes ago, Elliot Garfinkel said:

Hi don thanks for reply I ordered one already but  nowadays that always dont mean anything.I spoke with you over the winter about finding a machinest.i had told you if I find one I'll pass the name along you gave me a name of a guy in Hampton bays but I spoke with someone in deerpark who said he could do it.Im still hesitant and might need someone to reassemble which I might have but I'm really looking for someone who has done a lot of these.will let you know if the machinest works out.Thanks for the offer and if it dont work out I'll take you up on the part

what did the crank mic out at?

[Elliot Garfinkel 166]

I didnt physically measure it it is a brand new crank I got a standard rod and one that is .010 to keep one or other for future as nos parts are getting hard to find and won't get any cheaper.Im into this for alot(you guys have been through it) so what's a little more