[TR] Tab washers

[Randall]

I don't like tabs on rod bolts. They are much softer than the rod or bolt, so they can crush and let the bolt loosen even though it doesn't turn. This effect has been mentioned both by Caroll Smith and by Kas Kastner in their respective books on race car preparation.

I also had a tab break off once, and find it's way into the oil pump. Fortunately no serious harm done, I heard the change in engine sound and shut it down before any serious damage happened. But it still caused me to miss a club drive that I was rather looking forward to; and of course it had to come home on a flatbed. Not a pleasant day!

That was over 20 years ago and I've been using oil resistant Loctite (on standard bolts) instead of tabs ever since.  

Check to be sure the bolts aren't too long, by threading them into the rod without the cap with only light finger pressure and then comparing the height of the cap with the resulting gap. None of mine were too long on 2 different engines, but its worth double checking. ISTR Kas mentioned that too.
-- Randall
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