Smitty454

Took my engine to the machine shop today and he said he didn't want to use the ARP bolts I bought because they could warp the bearings if the rods aren't resized. I don't blame him, I didn't want to use them anyway.

So I'm looking at GM stock replacement bolts and the prices are $12 to $19 EACH. Are these the prices I'm expected to pay for stock rod bolts?

Are Elgin's a good option? It looks like I can get a set for about $60.

bthomas

iTrader: (1)

Do you not have any oem ones now? they are good for several torque cycles.

Smitty454

The engine was gone through by a junkyard once before when I bought it. I don't really trust anything that they used and I doubt the builder will be willing to risk his credibility with those used bolts or else I would.

benflynn

Can’t he check the length of the bolt to see if they are still good? Can he resize rod ends?

I’d probably buy a used set of hbeams. Then I’d feel like pistons too since I’d be rebalancing it. I’d be like more stroke while im here. Ofcourse I’d need more port volume and duration…oh and bigger valves..

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Maybe I'm totally out of the loop, but I have never heard of this....

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

So Mike, as your aware, if you add clamping force, you will distort objects. Rods are picky. If they are final honed at 2.xxx @ 50 ft lbs, then you’d better final torque them at 50 ft lbs, or you’ll distort the big end bore. If you in turn, throw a set of ARP rod bolts at the same rod…..which is desirable because the ARP bolt is going to be a stronger fastener than an OEM fastener 9 times out of 10…the ARP bolt will usually require more ft lbs to achieve sufficient bolt stretch than the OEM bolt. This little modification (greater clamping force) will distort the rod big end. Will it distort the big end enough to render the rod unusable? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no…but it is distorted. I have a Mitutoyo dial bore gauge that doesn’t lie. I’d bet you’ve got some Mitutoyo gauges yourself.
There are bearing companies that offer a .002 Oversize (OD) rod bearing for the cracked-cap OEM LS rod that are needed from time to time to help get a distorted cracked cap rod back to round. Non cracked-cap rods don’t apply here. You simply cut the aftermarket rod cap .020-.030 and re-hone it back to spec.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for elaborating. I appreciate it, Scott. As you are probably aware, I have never messed with cracked cap rods, so that was the reason for my ignorance. Learned something new today.....

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

This sport/hobby of ours is an addiction, I swear. Once you start, you can't stop!! No know cure or prescription, except maybe more money and more parts, can help get the next "fix," lol......

Bob570

Why not just get the rods re-sized and use the ARP bolts? I think it cost me $80 when I had it done last year.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

True! Hard to beat ARP stuff! Since OP already has them, if I was in his position, that's exactly what I would do....