Differences between 69 350 HP & 70 LT1
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 787
Likes: 2
From: Ontario
The dab of the pink paint was how the rods got to be called pink-rods!
You shouldn't count on identifying the rods any longer by the paint. Most of the it is gone by now due to working with and cleaning the rods. The caustic soda in most hot tanks will eventually remove the color.
If the letter O is forged in the caps they are pink rods.
If anyone happens to be wanting any of these original rods, with no damage ever, drop me an e-mail. I have friend who restores nothing but the Z-28's and LT-1's. He usually upgrades the rods and has a few sets around.
Harry P. Hunter
You shouldn't count on identifying the rods any longer by the paint. Most of the it is gone by now due to working with and cleaning the rods. The caustic soda in most hot tanks will eventually remove the color.
If the letter O is forged in the caps they are pink rods.
If anyone happens to be wanting any of these original rods, with no damage ever, drop me an e-mail. I have friend who restores nothing but the Z-28's and LT-1's. He usually upgrades the rods and has a few sets around.
Harry P. Hunter
The rods in a low performance and high performance are ALL the same rods. The pink rod was a stock rod that they picked out of the pile, magnafluxed it for cracks and checked the weight ( certain tolerance, unknown). If the rod passed this test it was dobbed with pink paint so there was a visible difference in the 2 rods, so the part picker would know the difference.
LT1, "pink rods" were used from late 68 to 72, maybe 73(use up old stock on the assemb line). Early pink was used on a 68 Z28 with small journal, then the journal size was changed in late 69. ALL Lt1's used pink rods, no difference from 70 to 72.
The "O" is only a CASTING mark from the mold!! I have an original 72 LT1 car with "X" and"O" on some rods.
The "o" on the rocker arm was a better quality rocker arm for sure but it is not linked in any way to the rods. (the "O" arms were for HP use, I think they were case hardened or some steel hardening process, the name escapes me)
I've had about 15 sets of new pink rods when I was building engines. I have 1 set of "NOS" pink still and they are for sale if anyone is in the need of them.
Hope that clears up any "urban myths"..........
Regards Bruce
