Originally Posted by
nitrobeast
That's how i checked it by rocking the crank with the piston at the top. It does have some rocking with the plug out, but with the plug on you dont feel any rocking. Does it matter how I check it?
Not really, with the plug on the rod with have that constant force pushing down while the engine is running or not, so as long as the rocking movement is very little it should be fine. If you think it is too much, or you start getting some tuning/running issues, then replace the rod (this is if you think the rocking motion is too great.)
But if the rod feels snug and you get issues, check the play in the bearings - if they rock, replace them.
Every tiny movement that you feel shouldn't be there is greatly amplified (the way the engine sees this) at 40K RPM. Even so, you would be better off paying 40 or so for a rod, then 3-400 for an entire engine!!