I have begun my short block build and I have already run into what "may" be an issue.
I'm putting ARP connecting rod bolts in.
the factory bolts have no taper close to the head but the ARP does.
there appears to be a bushing in the rod cap that centres the factory bolt. as I went to install the arp bolt it pulled this bushing out.

I have never read of there being an issue doing a straight bolt swap in this engine.

with that being said, the shoulder on the ARP is .351 and the combined thickness of the factory rod bolt and this bushing is within a thou of that.

so do I yank these bushings?

Thanks
Warren

 

 

i dont know about that alignment dowl being removed or what not but, i do know you should have the big end of the rods honed/bored because of the ARP bolts clamping force

 

I keep reading both....and enough guys aren't that I'm going to plastigauge clearances and get on with it. I'm attempting to keep most expenses down on the machine shop front.

 

Good luck without resizing. And yes, the dowls do get discarded

 

Resize them or go with some new stock rod bolts...

 

You should remove the dowel and bottom/thru tap the threads all the way thru. Have the "bigend" size of the rods rechecked after completition.

 

You are just gambling away your money by not resizing. Do it right and just resize. Worse case is you spend a few bucks for the extra insurance