While two conventional rods are used to serve two cylinders in some V-type engines, a single assembly consisting of two rods is used in other engines of this type. As the name implies, one rod is fork-shaped at the crankshaft end to receive the blade rod. In general, fork and blade rods are similar to conventional rods in material and construction. However, design at the crankpin end (fig. 4-18) obviously differs from that of the conventional rods.

Figure 4-18.Fork and blade connecting rod.

The bearings of fork and blade rods are similar to those already discussed, except that the upper shell must have a bearing surface on the outer surface to accommodate the blade rod.