Connecting Rod Bolts

[timgamble74]

Have had trouble breaking connecting rod bolts in my VN series 1 race car.
I have bought a decent replacement motor, was just wondering if it is possible to just pull the sump off and replace just the connecting rod bolts with some stronger ones? without having to remove crank pistons etc?

[black as]

You sure can, you will just need an oxy torch

[VN_Luke]

if I were building a budget race car, I'd do it - but whether it's the right thing to do or not - I don't know

[timgamble74]

Was thinking maybe one bolt at a time, so then one side of the bearing is always done up. Have already spent enough money on buying an auto fly wheel. I have a good motor that doesn't really need a rebiuld. I have broken two sets of standard rods bolts so I just want to upgrade them. Was just wondering if anybody had done it before?

[VN_Luke]

one at a time shoudln't really matter - i wouldn't think that the rod caps would fall out without any effort (when the bolts are out) - the important thing would be just to not get any grit/dirt/oil between the flush surfaces of the cap/rod.

it might also be worthwhile to get a nice little nylon 'pipe cleaner' style brush and some metho or diesel or something and give the threads of the rod a quick cleanup.

then when you install your new bolts remember to torque up/loosen several times to stretch the bolt as much as it's going to stretch, prior to final torque up.

was it the same rod bolts that let go? how high are you revving the motor? when did they let go, etc??

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Can the sump be removed with the engine still in the car? I have replaced big end bearings on a X flow Falcon with it still in the car, pain to get the sump off but it was possible. You could support the engine with a bar across the strut towers and drop the K frame I suppose.

[timgamble74]

Thanks VN_Luke.
Just had standard rod bolts in when they broke. Different ones each time. I now have some ARP bolts. They should be a bit stronger (i hope....) was just hitting limiter as I was turning into corner after straight. Did that for about 10 laps and she let go. Did heaps of damage to crank and shot the broken bolt out through the sump. Got a motor with quite good compression to replace and just want to replace rod bolts to see out end of season out. As they are screw in bolts shoud be able to do one at a time as you said.
Cheers