While installing the pistons tonight, the rod got away from me while I was pushing the piston in.
Now I have a nick in the rod journal where the rod bolt hit it.

I know, I should have used some fuel line on the bolts.

I smoothed it out with some crocus cloth to where I couldn't feel a high spot anymore.

I have all the pistons and timing chain installed now.
I was thinking I could turn the eng over manually a few times, then remove the rod cap and inspect the bearing for scratching.

Sound resonable, or is this just wishfull thinking?

Anyone ever nicked a crank and got away with it?

 

I've never nicked a crank cause I always use protection errm, I always put something on the rod bolts so it never happens in the first place. How bad is it?

 

I did that once in my younger and even more foolish days. I used fine enery and crocus cloth to polish it out. Fortunately it survived. Ever since then I wear protection on my rod (bolts), so I can have safe assembly with the motor. A couple of 4" pieces of fuel line is a whole lot less trouble or expense than the consequences of not using them.

 

Yes, let's all pratice safe engine building & wear protection.

 

yeah i've done it too. doing as you said should be fine.

 

Thx guys. I feel better now.

The really bad part is I had a piece of fuel line with arms' reach but didn't use it.

Now that I've slept on it, think I'll pull the rod back out and "feel" the suspected area with a mic. If there's still a high spot the mic should find it.

BTW: After my boo boo, I used abt a 16" long piece of fuel line on the top bolt and abt a 12" piece on the bottom. The line was long enough to be resting on the crank journal before the piston entered the bore. It worked well. Kept the rod off the cyl wall and guided the rod right into place.