Welded rods with an A crank

[Bruce Compton]

I have a very nice 1913 Canadian block (three digit Canadian number) that has had a Model A crank installed. It also has a reground cam, adjustable and later valves and new 0.060 pistons and rings. Looking close at the connecting rods , it appears that someone welded T tops to A bottoms, The rods and crank are beautiful and the engine has run maybe 2-3000 miles and shows very little wear. The weld is right below the wrist pin hole and does not show any signs of fatigue, but I'm wondering if this is accepted and safe practice. BTW, the Main caps are the ones in Lang's catalog. A T buddy that has owned over 100 Model T's says it was a common thing to do, but I'm wondering why someone would not just modify the top of a stock A rod (bronze bushing with retaining clips)?? I believe that A rods and T rods are both 7" C-C. Any comments???? Thanks in advance. Bruce

[1915ford]

Was on a tour years back where a rod broke and grenaded a guys block. Tour over. T rods welded to a rods same as what you are describing. Even before seeing that i just think that trusting a welded rod is not something i would want to try with a block i care about. Especially if you don't know who, or how the welding was performed.

[Kevin Pharis]

Welded rods are a quite common reality of A crank motors in the pre SCAT crank world. The A rods are 7.500” center distance and require a special piston if not shortened. The special A rod pistons are notorious for pumping oil, and the T tops allow standard piston choices. I’ve made up several sets of shortened A and hybrid T/A rods, and choose to box the rods for additional strength. Welding near the wrist pin is typical

[Les Schubert]

Related but not, there were cast aluminum rods available for the A crank in a T block. I actually own a new set and a set of the bearing shells.
Sorry for the diversion!

[Bruce Compton]

Les, are they for sale? Bruce

[Dan Hatch]

Buick 3800 V6 pistons will work. Need special bushings for A rods.

[Brian Cress]

Dan, are the Buick 3800 pistons "deck height" at TDC, or do they rise above the block like a stock T or A piston?

[Dan Hatch]

Flat top pistons.

[Brian Cress]

Thank you for clarification.

[AndyClary]

So the Buick pistons work but you have no compression?

Andy

[Kenny Edmondson]

The Buick pistons work great. There’s a little protrusion above the deck.

[Brian Cress]

Thanks for the picture Kenny.