2/1/2003
PERA’a Core Corner
Romeo and Windsor Crankshaft Identification, Continued
By Roy Berndt
We’re not talking about English royalty here, but the confusion reigning in the houses of Romeo and Windsor is still apparent. In the January 2003 Core Corner (see page 24 of that issue), we discussed the differences between 4.6L and 5.4L Ford crankshafts and their applications. The Windsor and Romeo engines can be tricky, particularly in the crankshaft area.
I want to thank a number of you who made the suggestion to put together a chart to simplify the complexity about last month’s information on the 4.6L and 5.4L crankshafts. So we’re providing what you’ve asked for: a detailed chart that addresses the crankshaft identification information. (See page 17 for chart and accompanying identification photography.).
Additionally there are a few identification issues with the connecting rods so we thought this to be the perfect time to add that information to your resources. In Figure 1 (above) you can see that there are 5 connecting rods lettered A through E. Connecting rod A on the far left is the 5.4 L connecting rod, which uses a pin bushing and is the 6.8L V-10 rod as well. Letter B is the Windsor 4.6L connecting rod and it, too, uses a pin bushing.
Letter C is the Romeo DOHC connecting rod and it is the third rod that uses a pin bushing for the wrist pin. Notice the difference between the Windsor and Romeo rods (B and C) in the rod caps, and thickness of the beam areas as each meets the housing bores. Letter D is the Romeo SOHC non-bushed connecting rod that has a press fit pin and is used through December 31, 2001 and weighs 575 grams.
Beginning Jan 1, 2002 that Romeo connecting rod underwent some configuration changes yet remains a press fit pin; but its weight increased to 612 grams. It is easily identified by the dimple on the rod cap (see circle in the photo). All of the connecting rods described are PM (powder metal) connecting rods and they are all "Crack" parting lines so the only effective means of remanufacturing these rods is through the use of oversize OD connecting rod bearings.
I’d like to say thanks to an alert reader. Len Harmon pointed out that last month’s issue stated that Mustang SOHC applications use Windsor eight-bolt flange cranks. Len reminds us that that case is true only for ’99 and ’00 Mustang SOHC (GT) applications. 1996-’98 and 2001-’03 Mustang SOHC engines all use Romeo six-bolt flange cranks.
Well, I think that we have exhausted our 4.6L and 5.4L crankshaft connecting rod information for now, but don’t be surprised if we don’t come back with an up date on some strange quirk that shows up as time goes on. Good Luck! EB
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) offers SourcePERA Software, a revolutionary electronic information system that identifies engines and their components by make, model and year-specific applications based upon AAIA standard lookup tables. Casting numbers, specific notes and photos provide for an absolute definitive identification. For more information about PERA or SourcePERA call 847-439-0491; or visit www.pera.org.
See magazine for graph and photos