4.350 flat top pistons with BME 95 on the bottom, (probably Bill Miller Engineering) looks like 1.98 / 2.00 compression height. Probably gonna sell these, need a lower compression set up. And some mystery rods?? With bearing # 5183 .020 under size , and not sure what brand they are, don't recognized the insignia. Anybody recognize these? Thank you.
Those look like Oliver rods, but the numbering system I have seen on Crower billet rods in the past.. I think those are custom crower rods.. Pistons are the Bill Miller race stuff that was around in the 80's and 90's. JW
Oliver rods?? As in Oliver Coulteryahn? I ask that because this happens to be a Benisek engine. I haven't seen any markings on the rods other than the X3 cyl #3 and the bearing number. I will look a litter harder next week for any other markings. Thanks Jim.
JW is correct the rod beam profile, cap and parting surface area are a Crower machined billet or a close copy of their connecting rod manufacturing method and design. The 4340 surface is media blasted to remove heat treat tint and compress / work harden the exterior which hide the machining mark patterns.
Looked closer at the rod, still dont see any distinguishing maker marks on the rod surface, but the bolts say SPS Crower H on them, so probably Crower . Great call JW and 482. Correction, rods are 6.621. transposed a number. These pistons are sitting at zero deck.
Sounds like a Pontiac rod.. What size is the pin? Stock for a Pontiac is .980.. Buicks used the 1" pins.. JW
Pontiac right? But these rods have a 1" pin. Dave B must of had these Crower's custom made, or worked. So between the 6.621 rods and the 2" comp height flat top pistons brought them to zero deck. Still need to check the block to see if its been decked. I probably will see if I can get a dished 4.350 piston with 1.980 comp height and stock length rod (I have a set of new KB Carrillo rods) or buy some rods, that should bring my compression down to a streetable range putting the piston down .040 . Thanks Bens99gtp for bouncing some info and ideas around with me.
Pretty common to buy Pontiac off the shelf rods and bore the pin end to 1" back in the day.. The way to tell is what width are they on the big end. Stock Buick width should be .925ish.. look for machining marks that don't match the rod surface finish.., if you see them, then it's a converted pontiac rod, if not, then it's a custom crower for a Buick. JW
As always JW, you are a wealth of knowledge and very helpful. I will check the rod surface of the Crower's for modifications on Monday. Here are some pics of specs and of KB Carrillo H beam rod's, 6.607 and .9980 small end, brand new still sealed in bag. May use these or something else.
Talked with Mahle today (super helpful) the Vandervell bearing number cross to a Clevite CB758P20 Pontiac, so definitely a Pontiac rod , but the big end measures .986 wide. Thanks all for the replies, mystery busted.
Yup, Pontiac rods were all the rage in NHRA Stock/SuperStock back in the day..they were the first "accepted" replacement rods for our motors in NHRA competition, long before the TA and Molnar rods became available. So there are a fair number of these sets floating around out there in the secondary market. JW
