Pre98 Con Rods are different than Focus Rods

[ButtonPuncher]

I just confirmed one of my worst fears...

The Pre-98 connecting rods are completely different than the 98+ rods. That means that Focus rods and pistons won't work.

I was reading through my Burton Power catalog the other day and noticed this...

Zetec E to 5/98
Length = 5.36" Small end = 20.63mm

Zetec E 5/98 on
Length = 5.545" Small end = 19mm

I confirmed it by looking it up in my Helm Service Manual. I'm going to find my CD-ROM manuals and see if the connecting rod crank bores are the same.

Either way, this is not looking good for anyone that wants to build up a Pre98 Zetec. Burton lists connecting rods at 174.75 pounds each or $1392 for a set of four.

BP

[ButtonPuncher]

OK, I'm really friggin tired but here it goes...

The bore and stroke are the same. 84.8 and 88mm respectively.

The connecting rod big end bore (crankshaft bore) is 46.9mm for both. That means that the Focus rods will fit perfectly onto a Pre98 crank.

Did Ford just change the wrist pin from 20.63mm to 19mm and just move it up on the piston 0.185" to make up for the longer rods?

I guess I could yank a piston/rod out of my '96 engine and throw it in Hector's old '00 Zetec and see if one is lower that the other.

Holy crap I've gotta go to sleep.

BP

[percybigun]

people in the UK use vauxhall cavalier/calibra C20LET turbo pistons in "silvertop" series 1 zetec turbo engine builds.

see here for info http://www.fiestaturbo.com/articles/...ockpreparation

[striker2]

im putting my money on ford putting in a shorter compression height piston on the post98 zetecs. which means that you can (assuming the length of the whole piston/rod assmbly really is the same) use focus pistons but you must use the focus rods as well.

since everything else is the same including compression ratio i think im right (i hope im right) ill be able to tell in a few days when my eagle rods and probe pistons come in.