Have seen pictures of the late '27 X-rod and thin pistons, but until this week never held any or inspected them. Got this one in the stash of Ford parts this week, comparison pictures of the differences to earlier piston and rod.
Measured them on the scale, the X-rod and thin piston weighed 3 lbs. The normal rod and piston on the left is 4lbs. 6 oz.
The thin piston has a slight dome shape on the surface of the head.
The X-rod has no bolt to secure to the piston pin.
And there is an oil hole on the upper part of the X-rod
Leads to holes drilled in the upper cap for oil to the bearings.
x rod looks like the same set up used in early 1928 mod a fords.charley
Not all the X rods are drilled on top, some one must of added them from all the sets I have seen.I have been told that Egge carries a piston for those rods? I have never order any, I have bushed the rod down to size, shorten the wrist pins and add snap rings to hold pins in place.
What's holding the piston pin in the x-rod piston? Press fit or a cold pin installed while the piston is heated hotter than usual?
Snap ring like A's have in the middle of the rod.
I have a set of 4 X-rods and "tin can" pistons. My rods are much lighter than those pictured and the pistons are different. The pistons are constructed of welded steel parts and have no rings at the bottom of the skirt. I'll try to weigh them tomorrow.
Factory prints at Benson Ford show No hole in the rod. Only in the cap, for the dipper. If I remember correctly the earliest date for X rod & cap is 1925.
Howard, how about a picture of one of those pistons,never seen anything like that. Thanks, Dave in Bellingham, WA
Where's that snap ring supposed to be again?
I have a set with aluminum domed pistons. I have always wondered if they were original Ford. My gut reaction is that they are, as I can't imagine any private company would tool up to make pistons for such a small market.
Just checked 11/24/1924 is the earliest date I have
for the X rod.
I have an NOS X rod, no holes in the rod, just the dipper hole in the cap. I don't know why anyone would want to use these rods, Ford carried the design into early model A production and went back to conventional H beam rods right away. There's a reason for that. That are great conversation pieces, no more.
Charlie,
The snap ring resides in a slot in the wrist pin part of the rod. The wrist pin has a corresponding slot around it that the ring engages (at least on my set!!).
I am going to try to get some pics tomorrow (I've never uploaded pics here).
The x, or star rods for the Model T are good, useable strong rods. The only draw back is aligning them.
They are hard to grab for changing the off set unless you have a rod press, in which we do.
The twist and bend can be done on a shaft that is held solid.
Here are some pictures of a Model A , 1928 rod that looks just like the very late Model T rods, Holes and all, that we done many sets of over the years.
This Model A rod is just roughed out and is .060 thousandths under, to be machined to what ever size. It is a spun poured Rod.
thanks, Herm.
Dan, I have a full set of those rods and one major difference I see in them is the rod bolts are locked in like a Model A rod but are 3/8" instead of 7/16" like a Model A.
Hello Everyone,
I finally dug out the x-rods, pins and "tin can" pistons. I hope can get the pictures to upload. My rods seem significantly thinner than those pictured above. The pin shows the groove in the center for the rod connection. The pistons are essentially sheet metal.
Interesting, Howard T, I have never looked at any of these close up before. 45 years in this hobby, and I have seen few, and know almost nothing about these pistons or rods. Thank you.
Still learning.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
Thank you, Howard, for showing this, I was unaware. I have seen early V8's with this type of piston, they were very light, probably as light as aluminum, or close. Dave in Bellingham, wa