Conn Rod oilways

Oil-spray holes should point outwards on a Norton. You will also need a 6 start oil pump to keep the bottom feed oil pressure high, especially if you have pressure fed rockers as well.

That torque number for the rod caps seem very excessive.   25lbs.ft is the norm unless you have custom made rods. Even then you would need very special bolts to cope with any torquing beyond 30 lbs.ft. Check the number and make certain the bolts have not stretched or the threads pulled.

Norton Big-end conrod bolts /nuts    - 500 & 600cc                       15lbs.ft

                                                              - 650 & 750cc                       25lbs.ft

I fit bottom shells in the top to block these holes off, I put very shallow but wide slots in the sides of the rods on the big end diameter so the oil coming out of the shells is directed upwards on both sides but I doubt this is needed. Why they put holes in the top shells where the pressure of combustion is at its highest on the shells was an odd decision.

If by RGM billet, Robert means Thunder Engineering rods then the manufacturer specifies final torquing to 40 to 43 lb ft, so the figures he quoted may not be so excessive after all.

Hi Robert, yes they are too good to hide away in the engine!

I am using Thunder rods in my 1964 99 mongrel rebuild (99 replacement engine in a 650ss cycle) to replace the pair of odd and battered rods that it was rebuilt with over 30 years ago, before being left in a damp shed.

Good luck with the rebuild.