Topic: Connecting rods and blue loctite

[danfr]

After reading this: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132672.0 thread, I went to bed and stared up at the ceiling. I started thinking about my own engine. I am doing a rebuild on my own engine and started to worry about my connecting rod bolts coming loose. I have the cases sealed up, but am wondering is do people loctite their connecting rod bolts? I torqued them down with a 1/4" drive princess auto (not the best quality) torque wrench.

I am starting to think I should split the cases before I go any further and retorque the connecting rods with some loctite. While I'm at it, I could install a new CycleX primary tensioner.

Thoughts?

[Whaleman]

I think proper torque is way more important than loctite. The bolts stretch just the correct amount to keep the nut tight. I also do not think the loctite hurts and might have some lube aspect to it to allow the correct torque to be obtained. Loctite and a nut not properly torqued will not keep it together. I have always loctited the cam sprocket bolts. Dan

[HondaMan]

I think proper torque is way more important than loctite. The bolts stretch just the correct amount to keep the nut tight. I also do not think the loctite hurts and might have some lube aspect to it to allow the correct torque to be obtained. Loctite and a nut not properly torqued will not keep it together. I have always loctited the cam sprocket bolts. Dan

^^^ +1 What he said...

[setdog]

holy shnikies that engines looks great.

a nearby bmw motorcycle mechanic, says "never use loctite on anything"

and if it wasnt for the look on his face when he said it, i wouldnt have take him so seriously.

im sure there are some decent exceptions to his rule however, and he doesnt work on transmissions.

[martin99]

I've heard people say 'never use loctite' before, but they are generally refering to that orange gasket-making crap that welds mating parts together and blocks oilways, rather than the thread locking compound.

The dilemma I would have in this case, sorry to fuel your paranoia Danfr, would be whether to re-use the rod bolts, as has already been mentioned they are likely already stretched through torquing. So I think the belt and braces approach would be to order a new set of bolts and use loctite.

[danfr]

thanks for all the replies.

well, i received a little holiday cash, so I went for the CycleX primary tensioner. I'll crack the cases and retorque the nuts with some loctite. Peace of mind.

While I'm at it, I can be a bit more thorough inspecting the transmission.

Cheers
Dan