In our kickoff "class" in the Auto Shop Series on Engine Basics (HRM, Sept. '71), we defined the connecting rod or "rod" as the part of an engine which "transmits and converts up-and-down ...

First of all, a rod is exposed to all four basic types of stresses: tension, compression, bending and torsion (twist). Of the four, tension and compression are predominant and have the greatest effect ...