Why can't we use Pontiac rod bearings?

How much would a mechine shop charge to narrow a set?

 

Just bought a set of SCAT H beam Pontiac rods from Butler Performance for $465. I used CAT rods on an engine last year, and was going to use them again, but I couldn't get anyone to answer the phone at CAT. Been taking .020" off the inside and .049" off the outside to stay centered and end up with .923". I'm having a set done right now , should know the cost in a few weeks.

 

Can't you just narrow the BBC rod instead of widenening the crank? I've heard of the 494 SBC 7.1" rods being narrowed.

 

I cannot see any reason to buy the pontiac rods and pay to resize them over buying the same rod made for a Buick. That said if you compare a SD rod to a BBB rod you would be shocked at the difference. I plan on running the modified SD rods in my proposed Stage 2 engine that will not be a girdled all out effort. I cannot imagine using a Stock Buick rod over the Pont SD rods. They mat be heavier but way stronger.