Katech Rod Bolts.. Not what is claimed.
09-16-2012, 08:13 PM
#21
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Just out of curiosity and I will say I know nothing about engine building but... wouldn't the pure fact of you taking a cracked rod apart throw off the measurement? To my knowledge your supposed to do one bolt at a time so the cracks line up n don't throw them out of round. I know its not in the instructions but seems to be common sense in the ls world.
The only way to mis align the cap is if you put the wrong cap on the wrong rod. But no they align up just fine.
And just to add to the discussion above, I threw arp rod bolts in my 5.3 and checked the clearance after the initial bolt stretch. It still was within spec and that's about as far as my give a **** went. Motor has over 10k on the build and gets the **** kicked out of it every single day. I personally can't justify taking the Rods to a shop and having them re honed unless your on such a tight budget,like building an ls motor while working at burger king as a day job. If I'm pulling it apart it's getting forged rods/pistons. C'mon people. It's not that expensive to build yourself a strong bottom end to Handel up to 800hp. After that is when **** gets expensive.
09-16-2012, 08:46 PM
#22
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09-16-2012, 09:05 PM
#23
I agree to a point, if your like me and have 6 sets of rods laying around, the cost of the forged rods is not justified unless you need it to hold more than the stock rods can handle.
In the case of my 370, I went ahead with forged rods because I plan to push it harder in the future, and I had the extra money.
On my next build, a 5.3 for my k5, I will be using stock rods with upgraded bolts as long as the bolts don't throw it out more than .002 on the big end because that is all bearing manufacturers make bearings for.
Out of 48 rods, I shouldn't have a problem finding 8 that are close and can be resized.
In the case of my 370, I went ahead with forged rods because I plan to push it harder in the future, and I had the extra money.
On my next build, a 5.3 for my k5, I will be using stock rods with upgraded bolts as long as the bolts don't throw it out more than .002 on the big end because that is all bearing manufacturers make bearings for.
Out of 48 rods, I shouldn't have a problem finding 8 that are close and can be resized.
09-16-2012, 09:16 PM
#25
Has anyone used the Katech's and had a rod bearing failure? I see a few guys in here that have went quite a bit of miles with no issues. I'm not saying their rods WERENT/were out of round, but I would think you would definitely have a bearing failure with almost 20 thous oOr. Sometimes the LS gods give you a break I guess. Definitely some good info on this thread.
09-16-2012, 09:17 PM
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09-16-2012, 09:59 PM
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No, I got it and I have read the other thread. I would have rather had some input or something constructive other than another popcorn post. The clutch part was just fine.
09-16-2012, 11:24 PM
#32
Yeah, of course they distort the bore - any time you change the clamp load applied from what it was when the rod was originally machined, you will change the size and geometry of the bore. Additionally you cannot just check clearance with platigauge or even a two point bore gauge because they are not capable of showing nth order distortions that are present in the bore. Even the three point precision AG gauge shown in the OP's video may sometimes not show these orders of distortion, so you need to properly re-size the rods every time you change fasteners.
I don't know how many rods you personally have installed bolts in and checked but 99% of ones that I have done or had done went out of round. You say the opposite of what almost any machine shop or true engine builder will tell anyone. It always needs to be checked. You also have to have the right tools. which almost NO ONE has but a machine shop. Plain and simple
Sure, if you go out far enough from the decimal point!? What?...Are you measuring out to the The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle? Good lord, even if its not exactly the same it can still be in spec. You sound like a priest from the dark ages that no one can understand reading or god unless they come to a Preacher for knowledge. A very bad line to walk. As far as being in spec with aftermarket bolts, more than a few machinists have found the rods to be well within spec. (I've built more than just a few motors) Maybe not exactly the same as before, (measured bore) as it will never be exactly the same even with the same bolts - if you go far enough away from the decimal.....Your turn, but arguing absolutes on such a dynamic is pointless. Many will be in spec after installing properly. Many others won't. I'm not arguing with you. I'm stating there are no absolutes in this equation as your point seems to be leading. You are right in this scenario, and wrong in others. Get over it, learn from it, and put your shirt back on. I won't argue with you further, not because I can't, but because I won't.
Not to confuse you, but even still, thank you for sharing your well documented findings and proving further what is said over and over on this forum. Verify for yourself if anything you install is within spec. It is just too important.
Last edited by 95ONE; 09-16-2012 at 11:45 PM.
