Broken rods... from factory...

Just curious as to if this is a new trend or something that I'v somehow missed. Earlier I was disassembling an engine, ford "zetec" dohc 2L. Went to take the rods out, and there is no cut line seperating the rod from the cap, it appears it was just scribed on the inside where as to make it square for the bearings, then broken in half. I have never seen this before, only reason I can think of for doing it would be no need for a locating dowl or anything since the grain structures where it was broke will line up with each other. Just wandering if yall had any insight...

Your evaluation is exactly right. The process is called fractured rod technology and very likely will become the standard since it eliminates waste and reduces cost by 25%.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fractured+connecting+rods&btnG=Google+Search

it's very common, as far as i know most new engine (at least jap/euro cars) implement this technology. i don't think it's scribed, i've only read about it being done by a laser, the company in context was MAN trucks, who use lasers to "cut" a line into the rod, then it's "tension split" or something. it's better as it's more accurate, and like you said the mollecular structure is better, so the rods are stronger.

Hum, pretty interesting. Europe allways has better stuff then over here, either I havnt been paying attetion much, or it isnt that common here yet.

The rods are not casted either. They are made of a powdered metal. They take a lump of powdered metal and forge it into the shape of your rod.

Hum, their not shaped like my rod.

aww.....poor TSC, he doesn't have a big end....