1973 GT750 - Connecting Rod washers

[Whit]

The early 73 GT750s did not have the connecting rod washers. Quite a bit of play but apparently held up rather nice for 33K miles. My question is would you add the washers when installing new pistons? Thanks //Pat

[tz375]

If the new pistons are machined to take thrust washers at the small end, the crank should really be rebuilt with later style "washers" to allow the rod to float at the big end.

Early crank was located at the lower end, later ones at the top.

You could run a motor with early pistons and a late crank and allow the rod to move back and forth but that would not be recommended in a bike that was going to do tens of thousands of hard miles.

What you want to avoid is using late pistons with small end thrust washers on an early crank fitted with big end thrust washers. I have one of those in the shop now and it's not the way to go.

[Suzukidave]

What you want to avoid is using late pistons with small end thrust washers on an early crank fitted with big end thrust washers. I have one of those in the shop now and it's not the way to go.

I have pulled apart a setup like that also and one of the big ends was really side loaded and burned up .

[Whit]

So this is what I have gotten from searching the forum and this post.

Ok to use newer style pistons with old style crank --- this is what I have.
Do not use thrust washers on top end of conn rod with old style crank.

So even though the slot on the newer pistons for the connecting rod is a little wider than the older pistons, it will not be an issue.

I hope I got this right ... Thanks //Pat