rods and tachos

[ben bishop <ben.bishop@domain.elided>]

Thanks to everyone who responded on the Tacho and Rod Questions.

The reason why i was asking about the dash set ups is 'cos on Alfettas
down under, (and UK i believe) the tacho is on the far left of the
centre binacle, a real PITA on a right hand driver, and i am seriously
contemplating a switch to a euro style dash.

Now, a new question on the rods....
Does anybody have any experience with where these factory rods let go
when they do let go? do the rod bolt let go or is it the gudgeon pin
area of the rod like on a ford 'pinto' four?? I ask in pure engineering
inquisitiveness, and because its been suggested that the factory rods
are good for 7500 rpm, and 8000rpm with upgraded rod bolts.

On a completely different subject, i did a prac on failure analysis and
material selection that involved analysing the failure of a set of FIAT
124 sport rear trailing arms. Can really tell FIAT was on a budget from
the way the things were manufactured. Two bushing loops stud welded to a
1/2" rod. Both trailing arms were severly overloaded, probably by a
'handbreaky'. Realy shows the difference between a FIAT and the
contemporary ALFAs.

TIA

Ben Bishop (4th year Mechanical Engineering)

'77 Alfetta GTV

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