Connecting Rods, Stock Type 1 VW 1300-1600cc Base Motor Set

OVERVIEW

When you''re rebuilding the heart of your air-cooled Volkswagen, the connecting rods serve as the most critical link in your engine''s rotating assembly. These EMPI Stock Type 1 Connecting Rods are engineered to provide the reliability and precision your 1300cc to 1600cc base motor demands. Over decades of heat cycles and high-RPM operation, original factory rods often suffer from fatigue, becoming "out-of-round" at the big end or developing microscopic stress fractures that can lead to catastrophic engine failure. Replacing your aging, unknown-mileage rods with this brand-new set of four ensures that your reciprocating mass is stable, balanced, and ready for another hundred thousand miles of service. These are not reconditioned or rebuilt units; they are manufactured to strict OEM specifications to provide a seamless "drop-in" fit for your classic VW engine build.

At Appletree Automotive, we know that the "vital link" between your piston and your crankshaft is no place to cut corners. These rods are forged for strength and feature pre-installed wrist pin bushings that have been precision-honed for standard 22mm piston pins. Whether you are restoring a bone-stock 1600cc Beetle for daily commuting or assembling a reliable 1300cc power plant for a vintage Ghia, these rods offer the structural integrity required to maintain proper oil clearance and compression ratios. By choosing a complete set of four, you eliminate the risks associated with mixing and matching rods from different production runs, ensuring better weight consistency across all four cylinders. Don''t gamble your entire engine investment on tired, 50-year-old hardware when you can install factory-fresh components designed to meet or exceed original German standards.

FITMENT

These connecting rods are designed for standard Type 1 based air-cooled engines with 1300cc, 1500cc, and 1600cc displacements. Please verify your crank journal size before ordering.

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1966 - 1977 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1966 - 1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1963 - 1971 (1500cc and 1600cc models)
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1964 - 1973
• Volkswagen Thing / Type 181: 1973 - 1974
• Custom Applications: Ideal for Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Trikes utilizing a Type 1 VW engine case and crankshaft.

SPECS

Detailed technical specifications for the EMPI 311-105-401B Connecting Rod Set:

• Quantity: Set of 4 Connecting Rods
• Material: High-Strength Forged Steel
• Rod Length: 5.394 inches (137mm) center-to-center (Standard Stock Length)
• Big End Journal Diameter: 2.165 inches (55mm) - Fits standard VW Type 1 Crankshafts
• Small End / Wrist Pin Diameter: 22mm (Standard for 1300-1600cc pistons)
• Wrist Pin Bushings: Pre-installed and honed bronze bushings
• Hardware: Includes high-tensile rod bolts and nuts
• Weight Class: Matched set for improved engine balance
• Interchange Part Number: 311-105-401B / 311105401B

PRO TIPS

1. Correct Orientation is Critical

When installing these rods onto your crankshaft, you must pay close attention to the orientation of the "tangs" or the notches where the rod bearings seat. In a Volkswagen Type 1 engine, the rods are offset. Always ensure that the rod numbers or the bearing tangs are facing upward toward the top of the engine case (the cylinder head side). Installing a rod backward can cause the rod beam to interfere with the engine case or the opposing rod, leading to immediate engine damage upon startup. Double-check your shop manual to confirm the specific offset for your year of engine case.

2. Precision Torque and Lubrication

Never install connecting rod nuts dry. To achieve accurate clamping force and prevent galling, apply a small amount of clean engine oil or a dedicated assembly lubricant to the threads of the rod bolts and the seating surface of the nuts. Torque these nuts in two stages to the factory specification (typically 24-25 ft-lbs for stock 9mm bolts, but always verify with your specific build sheet). Using a high-quality, calibrated torque wrench is non-negotiable here; over-torquing can stretch the bolt beyond its elastic limit, while under-torquing can lead to a rod cap coming loose at high RPM.

3. Verify Your Bearing Clearances

Even though these are brand-new rods, a master builder never assumes clearances are perfect. Use a high-quality micrometer or Plastigage to check the oil clearance between the rod bearing and the crankshaft journal. For a standard 1600cc build, you are typically looking for an oil clearance between .001" and .003". If the clearance is too tight, the bearing will overheat and seize; if it is too loose, you will lose oil pressure and develop a "rod knock." Checking this during the assembly phase is the only way to guarantee a long-lasting, quiet-running engine.