chevy rods?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 440
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From: Sanford Florida
chevy rods?
I took my block into the machine shop today, and the guy seemed interested in the rods. He kind of reminds me of a snake, but he does good work, so I go with him, but am weary of his words. Here is my question. The rods, I thought were stock chevy out of a one piece small block (10243880). I did notice though, that they have no balancing pads on the big end. It was smoothe and just followed the curve of the bore. Is there anything special about these rods, and should I get them back from him, and not let him trade me for a set of rods he has that are "better?" The reason, obviously, that I became suspicious of him is that he wanted to trade me a better set, when he knew I would be fine with the set I had. Any knowlege on rods without balancing pads would help. Just for another piece of info, the other one piece block I have had x-rods in it, and they of course have pads on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
Likes: 1
From: delmont pa
Cruise-In I Veteran
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Re: chevy rods? (chuckb01)
they are the PM rods from the LT-1/LT-4. these are very good rods that replace the chevy"pink" rods and chevy says they are good for up to 500 HP :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: chevy rods? (chuckb01)
It sounds to me like you don't trust this guy. Aren't there any other good machinists in the area that you feel better about? I'm sorry for not addressing your question, but I can't help but be concerned about your descriptives such as "snake" and "suspicious".
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Sanford Florida
Re: chevy rods? (Monty)
Monty, I do trust this guy with my block, he has built race motors for us, and has so far done an excellent job. I think of him, however, as a "wall streeter" He will do whatever possible to make more money, like many sucessful mechanics. He would without concience take some oliver rods I didn't know I have off of me (I don't think that is what I have, though I wish I did :) ) for a set of x-rods if I didn't know any better. Thanks for the concern, but he does good work, and is well priced for his quality, so I will continue to use him, just be very weary of him, and tell him specifically what I want (he will only do what I OK). Any non block machining work, however, I won't use him.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
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From: Ohio
Re: chevy rods? (clem zahrobsky)
The powdered metal rods are not something that you want to leave in there, given the opportunity to replace them. Rods are a critical component on an SBC. A forged rod is still the best way to go, short of a billet rod.
