After getting an NOS set of conrods from Waltermitty (thanks!) I started pulling down the 40hp engine for my Ghia today. When the car was running it had plenty of power but had a pretty loud knock that was more of a ticking noise than a pounding noise. I guessed that it was a small end bush that had spun, and my suspicions were confirmed when I got to No2 cylinders wrist pin and conrod:-
The small end bush literally fell out and had a piece missing. When you looked at the end of it, it was out of round and much thinner on one side than the other.
Dave, or anyone else, any idea what is the cause of this? Should I continue to open up the case, or just replace the rods and do a top end. The bottom end is strong, and it would appear that it was done not so long ago. Maybe the bushes were not pressed in properly and the oil holes didn't line up???
Any tips on why this might of happened would be welcome.