560 gas - connecting rod caps

[phill_mi]

I am embarrassed ask this question, but I figure I better find out before I reinstall the oil pan. Thanks for the feedback.

In another thread I described a noise that I heard (which I now think was coming from the hydraulics system, which certainly had a plugged filter). However before I found that a friend came over to help me figure out the noise and he pulled the oil pan and removed the caps to the connecting rods and bearings, one at a time to inspect them. They all seemed fine and he reinstalled each one. I recall handing him a hammer and punch to bend back a locking tab on some of the bolt heads. Not sure which ones, as he was the one under the tractor. That was several weeks ago, and he is not available to help reassemble the lower half. I took the oil pump to another guru and got his advice, which was to reassemble the pump and oil pan. I checked each of the connecting rod and bearing bolts with a torque wrench, but then I was thinking about the metal tabs that we had to bend back. I don't see them anywhere. I have been advised that some engines need them and others don't. I looked at the parts diagram on Messicks and did not see any metal tabs listed for either the connecting rods or the main bearing caps. Should I proceed with installing the oil pan? or am I missing something?

Thanks Phill

[Eugene]

The locking tabs usually remain on/stay on the bolts.

Rod and main bearings caps torqued? No tabs, not a problem.

[Gary Dotson]

Some engine designers incorporated the lock tabs as an added precaution, others did not. It may be nothing more than an odd shaped washer, that one edge is bent over against the nut or bolt head. If the rod caps are properly torqued, they are probably a non-issue. Generally speaking, if they are there, I retain them. If it does not have them, I’m good with that too.

[ricky racer]

Since you are not the one who installed and torqued the rod caps, it probably wouldn't hurt to check each one to see if it's with the corresponding (match marked) connecting rods and double check the torque. It could save you a lot of time, trouble and money....

[SONNY]

ya,--- be sure the caps face the marks on the side of the rod and that the pistons face the right direction. A double check of everything will save you grief later on!

[JoeB]

Oil pump may have had fold over tabs on outside of block.