[mouseman]

Hey guys its me again. I got my timing chain delemma taken care of. Now, I have another situation. I have installed the number 1 rod/ piston assemble in the block. I have torqued it down in 3 graduated increments to equal 50 ft lb. I need to take the rod cap off now so I can put plastigauge down on the crank journal, then reinstall the cap and torque it back down.
My question is, What is the best way to get the connecting rod cap off without damaging any of the surfaces. Should I use a light hammer and lightly tap the rod surface from the side to try and jar it loose. Mine is a pressed fit. Can someone offer some advice. This is my first rebuid.
The motor is a sbc 350 4 bolt main, crower solid cam, 6 inch rods, scat crank,

[johnsongrass1]

After loosening both nut's and placing them out of the way, Grab both flat spot's on both ends of the cap and rock it back and forth while pulling upwards. They an be a pain. Some times tapping the piston down a 1/2" will help seperate the cap from the rod.

[302 Z28]

Loosen both nuts, but do not remove them completely. With a piece of wood or other non metallic device tap the piston down. This will cause the rod and rod cap to seperate. Leaving the nuts on will prevent the rod bolts from contacting the crank journal and possibly scratching it.

Vince

[machine shop tom]

You can carefully tap the end of the rod bolts with a brass hammer. Back them off a little and alternate from bolt to bolt with light taps and the cap will come loose.

tom