When installing new Skunk2 rods on my B18, what orientation should they go in? In other words, the factory rods were marked as to which side would align with the intake side of the piston etc. On the Skunks, one side has the cylinder numbers stamped on them and the other side has "0165". As I am writing this, I am thinking the recesses for the for the tabs on the rod bearings right? Towards the exhaust side?

EDIT: PS, our pistons dont have recesses for circlips...is that alarming or no? The wrist pins were not exactly a press fit...I was able to push them in by hand. I know that the factory pistons didn't have circlips, but we had to use a tool to remove them. Not sure if they were a press fit , or if it was 30 years and a lot of miles that had them that tight.
I did just get an old piston and pin...cleaned the pin up and I can push it in the original piston by hand....so all in all, these new pistons and pins are acting the same as the factory ones. Its a B18A, the piston kit is not anything special---this engine is not headed for a million pounds of boost or 400 horsepower....yet. perhaps a modest turbo in the future.

Thanks in advance!

 

Factory rods are a "press fit" type and the piston essentially has a floating pin within it. Almost all aftermarket rods utilize a "floating wrist pin" and you cannot use this type of connecting rod with factory type pistons because there is nothing to hold the wrist pin in place. You MUST utilize pistons with pin locks/circlips with those connecting rods.

 

THANKS!!!!!
That was much needed, very important information! I was thinking about cutting the grooves for the clips, but my son ordered a better set of pistons for it with the grooves.

Makes perfect sense now that I know.

Thanks again!

 

No problem. Happy to help.