Author Topic: 850 Loop connecting rod choice  (Read 2576 times)

Offline 70Ambo21V7

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850 Loop connecting rod choice
« on: October 14, 2026, 06:23:14 PM »



The rods on the right, with the Moto Guzzi came out of my Ambassador that had been converted to an 850. They are almost identical in overall weight.
The rods on the left came with a box case Eldorado engine and have about 5 grams difference in overall weight. No confidence they were used on the crank that came in the box, but probably (Eldo crank measures within factory tolerances and will go into the Ambassador case).
Overall weight of the set on the right is quiet a bit lighter than those on the left. The rods on the left have replacement rod bolts readily available at MG Cycle whereas the ones on the right do not: Does that really matter? Are there compelling reasons to choose either of these sets for the Ambassador engine rebuild?

Appreciate knowledgable feedback. The rotating assembly will go for balancing in a month or so.

Thanks
« Last Edit: October 15, 2026, 06:24:17 AM by 70Ambo21V7 »

Online Shorty

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Re: 850 Loop connecting rod choice
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2026, 10:18:56 PM »
I can tell you first hand to not put an Eldo engine together with used rod bolts.  :embarrassed:

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: 850 Loop connecting rod choice
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2026, 08:34:26 AM »
I can tell you first hand to not put an Eldo engine together with used rod bolts.  :embarrassed:

Really? I reuse the rod bolts in just about every engine I rebuild and have never had a failure! I measure each one and compare it to a NOS one I have, if any are stretched or otherwise damaged, I don't reuse them.

The new ones are of substandard quality - at first they fit into the rods very loosely, then the next batch were too tight. Maybe they've corrected the issue by now. I do wonder where they're really made - likely China.

I had a friend that worked in the testing lab of a truck powertrain company test used original and aftermarket bolts to failure. The used original was substantially stronger. 

To answer 70Ambo21V7's question, I'd use the set on the left.
Charlie

Online Shorty

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Re: 850 Loop connecting rod choice
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2026, 02:41:59 PM »
Really? I reuse the rod bolts in just about every engine I rebuild and have never had a failure! I measure each one and compare it to a NOS one I have, if any are stretched or otherwise damaged, I don't reuse them.

The new ones are of substandard quality - at first they fit into the rods very loosely, then the next batch were too tight. Maybe they've corrected the issue by now. I do wonder where they're really made - likely China.

I had a friend that worked in the testing lab of a truck powertrain company test used original and aftermarket bolts to failure. The used original was substantially stronger. 

To answer 70Ambo21V7's question, I'd use the set on the left.



I wasn't that smart or fortunate.
« Last Edit: October 15, 2026, 02:43:36 PM by Shorty »

Offline 70Ambo21V7

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Re: 850 Loop connecting rod choice
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2026, 10:54:36 AM »
How this look compared to your NOS bolt, Charlie?
A - 65.40 (mm)
B - 64.29
C - 65.39
D - 65.19
Measured 3 times to confirm measurements were good.
A and B are on the left cylinder rod, C and D on the right (For the left rod set (Eldo) you suggested).
Longer were also heavier:
A - 36.07 (g)
B - 36.75
C - 36.92
D - 36.55
« Last Edit: October 17, 2026, 01:23:31 PM by 70Ambo21V7 »

 

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