My dad and I pulled the engine out of our 1997 dodge Dakota (5.2L magnum) and tore it apart as we had low compression on cylinder 1 and 7.

As we were going through it, we noticed that the connecting rods and their caps were marked with these strange symbols. I expected to possibly see some numeric markings but not this... Please see attached photos.

EVEN weirder, the markings are only on connecting rods 2,4,6,8. Cylinder 1 connecting rod has a marking, but the cap does NOT.

Can anyone tell me if this is factory? I doubt it.... Just wanting to know if someone has been in this engine before.

I didn't take a photo of every marking (and can upon request if that helps) but some of the other markings are a star, greek/math looking symbol




Thanks!

 

Nope. Not stock. My guess would be someone has been in there before, and marked the rods/caps to keep them together properly.

 

2,4,6,8 had good compression so I assume whoever rebuilt it did a "decent" job.... 1 had low compression and had a marking on the rod so maybe something went wrong there but 7 is low too but without any markings.

Will do some measuring and try and re-ring all pistons and do some stone honing.

Both cylinder heads had cracks in between the intake and exhaust valves. I heard that is common with these heads. Debating to have them gone over or just try and clean them and send them as is. Intake valves look pretty nasty too. I will test if they are leaking but I would rather not spend the money if I don't have to.

These are the worst offenders

 

I would have to disagree, I have two motors with those markings. I also thought it was odd that every one is different BUT it designates what side goes where and what rod it goes to.

 

Really? Interesting. I've never seen them before. (but then, most of the motors I have seen the insides of were LA motors.....)

 

Did every connecting rod/cap have these markings?

It just seems weird to me that only the even cylinders have these markings and cylinder 1 rod has a marking, but not the cap.

 

Looks like a 4 leaf clover to me... It is St Patrick's day you know. I have torn down two 4.7 magnums recently and neither engine was marked.

 

Willing to bet it has to do with bearing clearances. Each symbol probably means it has some specific clearance and I bet the underside of the bearings have a matching symbol.

Just guessing out loud.

 

I know Honda did that kind of thing. Never heard of an american manufacturer doing it though.