478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

So I have a line on the front half of a '74 GMC 8500 with a 478M, five speed, and four speed OD brownie. The engine has had multiple fresh rebuilds. Apparently, after the first rebuild, one of the rod caps came loose. They pulled the pan, put a new bearing in it, and torqued it back to spec. It came loose again, and another time.

It was torn completely down and all new rods and pistons were put in. And it shortly thereafter developed a rod knock and was parked.

What do you all think could be the problem with it? The price is right, but I don't really need something that I can't fix either...

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

My guess is that the rod cap was bad (worn). Worst case if that's the only problem I'd say you're buying a new rod and cap. If the price is right I'd buy it anyway just to have the extra parts.

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

After the first couple tries, new rods were put in and it still did it.

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

But were the bearing caps replaced? I'm betting they didn't.

Check the clearance on the bearing and I'll bet it's looser than the others.

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

They did. All the old rods, caps, and pistons are on the floorboard.

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

Yup, there's only two things at work there and if they replaced the rods and didn't replace the caps, that's the problem.

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

Did they reuse the bolts? (been too long since I've been inside one -- do they use bolts or studs?)

Does the block need to be line bored?

Just had another thought -- could the crank be bent/twisted so it causes vibration in that cylinder?

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

Haha, we replied at the same time. So yeah, the rods and caps are both replaced and still the bearing came loose? AFAIK that's not possible. I'd buy that in a heartbeat and fix it myself.


EDIT: Ohh, mike could be right on the bent crank shaking it out.

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

Add to the crank question -- could something have caused it to go out of balance???

Re: 478M Loosening Rod Bolts
 

Don't know. I guess I could buy it, offset grind the crank to 4.25" using BB Mopar rods and custom pistons and make a 532. :ahhhh: