My 462 was destroyed in a flood a few years ago, and I'm hoping to finally getting around to building a new engine this summer. This 470 I've been reading about looks pretty smart. I'd love to have a zero-deck engine (for once). In scoping out the Big Block Chevy rods for this combo, there seem to be a bazillion (it's a real word; look it up) types of rod available. This is blowing my "One Rod to Rule them All" Buick mentality. What specs am I looking for here? What generation of BBC? What're you guys using? H or I beam? Material? Manufacturer? While I'm at it; any trustworthy block-machinists / crank-grinders in Indiana that you have personal experience with?
This doesnt exactly answer your question, but IMO, the "one rod to rule them all" for a Buick street engine these days is the Molnar rod to make a 482. Or just buy this and make a lot of us jealous... http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/new-482-bbb.330147/
6.8" Eagle H beam rod for BBC. That was what the 470 started off with. There are other rod choices now. The Pistons (custom) are important too. You have choices, Autotec or Diamond. All your answers are right here on V8Buick. Here are a few links, http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/470-vs-482-differences-similarities.327964/ http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/482-rods-now-available.324448/ http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/470-rotating-assembly.316509/#post-2635380 http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/new-470-482-piston-options.324745/ http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?th...mbination-470ci-or-482ci.320767/#post-2676431 That should answer most of your questions.
Yes, molnar makes the Buick 6.8 rod in which you don't need to grind the journal wide (bbc) since it uses Buick width
I believe JW is a dealer for the Molnar rods. I have a set of the TA-Eagle plug and play rods but I think Jim's Molnars are lighter. Too bad they came out after I had made my purchase. Larry
