Hey out there ,need some input from some experienced engine people out there, I am in the middle of some debate over using my stock rods with new je racing pistons or also getting a set of new rods (ta,eagle). Have not decided yet,and my question is with the full floating pistons (JE) want will you do to the stock rods if that's the choice I go with.Ive heard that you do not want to hone the small end and put a brass bushing in it because of the material thickness.These rods have been heated before to put on some hyptec pistons before and I do not know how if any that weakens or fatigue's the rod.It is a 464 about 11.5-12.0 comp and probably wont shift past 5500-5800.Any input would help. Thanks Happy Holidays
Bryan I put hundreds of runs on a 464 that was 12.4 to 1 with Ross pistons on stock rods. They had the small end bushed for the floating pin. It was a 6400 RPM motor with iron heads that ran low/mid 10's in a 3200 lb car. One thing I didn't know then that I believe in now is:Light parts help the longevity of a Buick bottom end. Use the lightest pistons possible and even consider Aluminum Rods whenever you can
Thanks for the info Gary,I will check into all of the piston and rod weights,did you have a oil hole drilled in the end of the rod to help get oil to the pin? Thanks
Hey Bryan, You have several options at this point. I guess it call comes down to your budget. I know the guys at Finish Line Motorsports (616) 765-5101 are selling a nice 455 Buick piston with pins and rings for a great price. Give them a call. Now your options 1. Stock Rod with a lightweight piston. 2. Have your crank groud to accept a big block Chevy rod and just use Eagle Rods. Then buy a nice piston. 3. T/A sells a nice Buick replacement rod that will bolt right in. 4. (my favorite) Since your buying parts somehow find a way to have your crankshaft offset ground and change the stroke anywhere from a 4.00 to 4.150. Your probably spending the cash to have it ground so just pay a little bit more and you will have a nice 482 or a nice 494. Go with a 2.100 or 2.000 SBC rod journal with a custom rod. You will not be sorry. Take Care
Gary, Perry, "stock rods" uzzled: What exactly did you do the the "stock rods" to make them live so long? ARP rod bolts, polished beams, ...?
Stock Rods were Shot peened and used ARP bolts with the small end bushed. The block or crank will fail before a stock rod will....IMO
Thanks John,Gary and Perry for your input it all helps.John I will check out that combo cost wise and put that in my budget plans too.
When i put my motor together I need to save money so i got je light weight pistons and put arp bolt on the rods and pressed the pin in do you guys think that is a big power loss?
The stock Buick 455 rods are not that bad of a rod. You want to have them checked, magnafluxed, polish the beams, then shot peen them, use arp bolts, puting a bushing in the small end for full floating pins should not cause you any problems. All of the broken Buick rods I have ever come across did not break because of the rod failing, it was always an oiling issue, and with an oiling issue, I don't care what rod is in it, if you starve for oil, somethings gonna give. I'm not saiyng the stock rod is the best choice for a 750 horse engine, but I also feel they are plenty safe to over 600 horses. When an engine tosses a rod, look at the pieces that are left, if the big end of the rod is blue or black, and or the crank journal is blue or black, what you had was an oiling problem. Think about it, how hot do you have to get a steel rod to turn it blue or black? Pretty darn hot, in fact, usually you would have to get it red hot or close to it in order to discolor it that badly. Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPRISES
