17-08-2020, 09:12 PM
As you are taking the engine out I think it would make sense to remove the conrods and then remove the pistons using the plugs detailed in Woodrow. I am on with this job on my RP at the moment and I am not convinced I could remove the little end clamp bolts with the rods in situ without the possibility of bending a rod. Removing the rods also allows you to check for cracks and to check the state of the white metal and the big end journals. As a matter of course I would replace the big end bolts along with new nyloc nuts. While they're out it would be good to weigh each rod to make sure they are all the same weight. One of mine was about 20 grammes more than the others, another rod was tight on the big end and I was lucky not to have run the bearing, and yet another was scrap due to a two inch crack, so they do merit close inspection!