Hi, I'm going through a very steady (read that slow) rebuild of my series 3 2 1/4 diesel. Tonight I thought I'd have a bash at replacing the little end bearings, I didn't think it would be a big job, however after removing one con rod and persuading the original bush out, I then tried to fit a new one which is where the real problems started. It was hard to get going but I persevered and have it about a third in but this was a real struggle, not having a press to use, at this point I offered up the gudgeon pin and it was clearly considerably bigger than the hole, I measured it with a vernier and there is about 0.5 mm difference, I cant believe this bush is the correct one. It is a standard size and the one that came out says standard on it too, it has a slit down it's length so when offered up to the pin out of the con rod you can just about push it on by hand but with this closed up and inside the con rod there is no chance. So my question is, am I doing something wrong or have I been suplpied with a duff aftermarket part and would these normally require pressing in? Any help whatsoever is massively appreciated

Best to put conrod in the oven for half an hour, get it hot and it will expand. Put the bush in the freezer it will contract, ease it in.

Thanks, I have managed to ease the bush in using a blow torch to heat the con rod and a bigger vice at work but now it appears that the aperture in the bush is too small for the gudgeon pin, maybe your method above will work with that, putting con rod in the oven and pin in freezer?

That pin needs to rotate in the bushing, so an interference fit like that is NOT going to be a good idea.

Do these need to be reamed once installed? If so then i'd fit the 4 bushings and then take them to the nearest auto machine shop to get them properly sized. Actually, i'd dig out a reamer and do them up, but I have the luxury of such things...

Hi The small end bushes will definitely need to be reamed to final size. The gudgen pin should push in by hand, but not be loose!
Did you ensure the oil holes were aligned when you fitted the bushes?
If your unsure about how your bushes look after install, Id start again with new bushes, ideally have a workshop fit and ream them, give them a new gudgen pin to check the fit.
Mark

Thanks Mark and Mrchurchill, I've just spoken to an 'old school' engineer friend before reading your post and he confirmed the need for reaming too, maybe I should have looked into this before I embarked on the job. Ah well, you live and learn.