Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

[bashibazouk]

Hi Tribe,

I can't seem to find any mention of part # 5561 in the Continental parts list. Also, the Atlas brand makes me wonder a little bit. Can anyone shed light on this? Thanks,

Josh

[cvavon]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

josh

the rods are for c75 c85 c125 will send you email with cross reference file chuck

[bashibazouk]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

Thanks, Chuck. I see on the Continental Interchange list what you're referring to. So now what? Is this substitution approved by the Administrator? Should there be paperwork to document it? How do I go about making this legal, or do I need to find some original A65 rods?

Thanks,
Josh

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

The only difference is the rod cap is drilled for oil lubrication on opposing cylinder wall, and you will need to verify that the correct wrist pin bushing is installed to match your piston. They are approved for A series engines and were used in the A75 and up

[bashibazouk]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

Thanks, I get that from the cross-reference info, too. Is there a Continental SB, a letter, 337 or some other document to allow this substitution? It seems like common practice as the parts engine I'm working on has the same rods. Maybe at some point Continental decided to quit making the A65 rods, but I would expect that there is something written somewhere.

Thanks,

Josh

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

When I majored my A-65 it had the old rods and the IA was surprised. He said it had been a while since he had seen any without the oil hole. He also had some kind of paperwork on modifying the rods by adding the drill hole to my old ones and did so.
Check with a couple of old timer IA's and I would bet one of them has seen the paperwork and has copies.
Hank

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

Josh:
The 5561 number on the rod is a casting number, not the rod part number...that's why you don't find it in the Continental parts list.
If you look in the current Continental A65 parts manual and the current C75-85 parts manual you will find that the A65 through the C85 rod part numbers are the same. The old timers (older than me, so they are really ancient) say that Continental used 3 different rods in the A65 engines. The first was a light rod that had a tendency to break. Then there was a rod that was beefed up a bit, and then came the 5561 rod that is now used in the A and C series engines.
As Ragwing Nut stated above, depending on the piston used the bushing in the small end of the rod will be for either an .859" or a .9215" diameter piston pin so you need to know what size piston pin your pistons require. The early pistons used the smaller pins and the late piston used the .9215" pin. Also if you have installed Superoir's Millennium cylinders, their pistons require the large pin.

Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

Around here we always use the drilled rods normally used for the A-75 & up. They squirt a little oil across to the other side for cooling & lubrication.
I put them into the A-65 and cruise at 2250-2300 RPM if needed with a 74-45 prop and get close to the 100 mph ; we had a 105MPH BC12D at one time, should never have sold her. 2150 4.3 gph 2250 4.8 gph

[bashibazouk]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

Thanks, Garry. That's what I was looking for. I should have taken a picture of the other side of the rods, but I don't remember any markings on the reverse. It seems odd that there's no part number on them, but your info makes sense.

Conversely, the cross-reference data that Rob put into a nice doc file for us shows:

"C series:
A35160-A1 (C75, C85, C125 )....Includes following:
1 5561 rod & cap - connecting (not sold)
1 22255 or 25369 bushing - piston pin
2 530213 bolt - connecting rod – spec. 3/8-24
2 24804 nut - slotted hex - 3/8-24 x 21/64 high
2 2501 cotter pin – l/16 x 1/2
2 (halves) 35897 bearing - upper or lower (replaces 35947 for C125)"

I don't have a parts list for the C-series, so I can't corroborate that info. I am fine with running the engine as it was before I took it apart-- it worked great. my IA is not fine with putting rods back in that don't have any supporting paperwork, or I should say he's not fine with signing the logbook as such. Surely over time someone at Continental published a document to support the substitution.

Josh

[bashibazouk]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

I did find a document listed on the Cub Club website:

"M46-28 'Change of pistons, rods, pins for A65." It's listed under 337s etc. and I wonder if that might be the piece of paper I need.

I'll ask Steve Krog.

Josh

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Are these correct connecting rods for my A65?

Thanks, Garry. That's what I was looking for. I should have taken a picture of the other side of the rods, but I don't remember any markings on the reverse. It seems odd that there's no part number on them, but your info makes sense.

Conversely, the cross-reference data that Rob put into a nice doc file for us shows:

"C series:
A35160-A1 (C75, C85, C125 )....Includes following:
1 5561 rod & cap - connecting (not sold)
1 22255 or 25369 bushing - piston pin
2 530213 bolt - connecting rod – spec. 3/8-24
2 24804 nut - slotted hex - 3/8-24 x 21/64 high
2 2501 cotter pin – l/16 x 1/2
2 (halves) 35897 bearing - upper or lower (replaces 35947 for C125)"

I don't have a parts list for the C-series, so I can't corroborate that info. I am fine with running the engine as it was before I took it apart-- it worked great. my IA is not fine with putting rods back in that don't have any supporting paperwork, or I should say he's not fine with signing the logbook as such. Surely over time someone at Continental published a document to support the substitution.

Josh

you won't find a part number on them that matches the manual. The manual lists an assembly number. Atlas is the foundry that made the castings. There were a couple foundries used, but Atlas was the last and the most common. If your mechanic has an issue with them, just send them to A/C specialties and let them hang a yellow tag on them for you. And while there at it, let them balance them as well