[rohrt]

Some very good info on Rods when I asked about them.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=777554

Even though I was only window shopping I couldn't pass up on one of the last sets of Max lite rods that Tim had.

[b-man]

Personally I wouldn't skimp on the rods, especially so for a long-stroke Pontiac 455.

Buy a well-known brand with a known good reputation, not some no-name eBay rods of questionable origin and quality.

You can't ever go wrong with Crower. Well-worth the added cost for peace of mind. You don't want to put a powerful top-end on a bottom end that may not quite be up to par.



Crower spec sheet.

[63gpman]

well it is either a low dollar rod or rebuilt stock. It would be nice to be able to throw the top of the line parts at this, but that simply is not in the cards on this.

[tom s]

If that is the case make sure they have REAL ARP bolts.They are the weakest link.If you can't do that wait until you can.Go with as good as you can.The last thing you want to do is loose a rod and wipe out the engine with a broke block,crank and maybe a head.Tom

[63gpman]

That was my thoughts Tom. I would assume that the majority of these rods come from the same location. I figure they will likely need to be touched up at the shop and will need ARP bolts, but would still be a cost effective option.

Someone changed the title of this thread with my intentional grammatical error, oh well

[tom s]

The better ones are machined and finished here.If you buy cheap and have to buy ARP bolts and get them resized you could be close to where the name brands are.Tom

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by tom s

The better ones are machined and finished here.If you buy cheap and have to buy ARP bolts and get them resized you could be close to where the name brands are.Tom

X 2, Tom. NEVER skimp on rod bolts...

[Singleton]

[QUOTE=63gpman;5557611]I need to check with Race Tech, but believe that their stroker 1000583 piston may have a .990 pin. I am waiting to confirm that. They will make the change to a .990 pin, but if I want them to do that and CH change, it would be considered a custom piston at that time. So one change is ok with Race Tech from what I understand from their off the shelf pistons, but two changes makes it a custom and cost a bit more than the off the shelf??QUOTE]

Yes, the 1000583 is a .990 pin, ( I have a set of them). All the other Pontiac pistons they list are .980.
I seem to remember from a phone conversation with Racetec, that any change from their shelf piston is considered custom, and the price goes way up.

So, to use the 1000582 piston,(1.47 CH), you would need them to change the pin diameter,(to .990), as well as the compression height, (to 1.50-1.51), to use the 6.6 bbc rod + 4.25 stroke, correct?

[63gpman]

My understanding is that one change to a shelf part is free of charge, but two changes would be considered a custom piston. Price goes from around $400 for off the shelf up to around $700 for a custom.

This is from their website. http://racetecpistons.com/pages/faq.php

Can order a shelf part and make dimensional changes?

Absolutely! We prefer to have a smaller selection of shelf parts and allow you to make the changes your specific engine requires. Any change such as C.D. or Bore can be changed at no charge. In fact as long as it does not require a redesign of the part or a forging change we will change it for you at no charge. We can also add any feature to any part for a small fee.

[Singleton]

Originally Posted by 63gpman

My understanding is that one change to a shelf part is free of charge, but two changes would be considered a custom piston. Price goes from around $400 for off the shelf up to around $700 for a custom.

This is from their website. http://racetecpistons.com/pages/faq.php

Can order a shelf part and make dimensional changes?

Absolutely! We prefer to have a smaller selection of shelf parts and allow you to make the changes your specific engine requires. Any change such as C.D. or Bore can be changed at no charge. In fact as long as it does not require a redesign of the part or a forging change we will change it for you at no charge. We can also add any feature to any part for a small fee.

When I inquired about making a valve relief change to the 1000583 piston, they wouldn't do it without charging me for custom Pistons. I wanted the reliefs cut slightly deeper to increase the cc's from 3.8 to around 8 cc's.

I ended up buying the shelf piston without changes from https://shanonsengineering.com for less money than ordering direct from Autotec.

[63gpman]

Just got off the phone with Tim at Race Tec. He confirms that the 1000583 stroker piston does come with a .990 pin and I can get the CH changed at no charge. I asked about moving it to 1.455 as an example and he said that would not be a problem. Also should not have any issues with the rings as the stock piston has a CH of 1.275 so the pin will move lower in this example.

2.125 (1/2 of 4.25) + 6.660 + 1.455 = 10.24

Obviously I will wait to see what the actual deck height is before ordering pistons. He said as long as the only change was the CH, there would be no charge, but would take a few weeks as they would be put in queue to run.

[Singleton]

Good deal.
Check those pin sizes when those Pistons arrive. The 1000583 set that they sent me were made wrong, had .980 pins. They took them back and sent new ones.
Also, since you stated that this is a budget build, I can tell you that Shanon engineering can order those Pistons, (and rings), with the requested changes, for probably at least $50 less for the set.

[Steve C.]

Is the block going to be squared up. Including decking it. And have you actually varified your exact deck height.

10.230" is a common number thrown around. Often they clean up less than that.


.

[63gpman]

Thanks guys. I spoke with Shannon a few days ago. Decent guy, but had a hard time getting confirmation from him about the exact specs and that is why I called Race Tec directly.

Yes, the block is a virgin block that should only need clean up. I would guess that the actual height is going to be less than the 10.23, just used the 10.24 number as that would be the largest change from the off the shelf piston that they had. The pistons will not be ordered till the deck height is confirmed after being cleaned up and squared.

[Steve C.]

Pontiac deck height. Actual factory blueprint says 10.2437". This per Dick D. when at Indian Adventures designing the after market block. That said, I have never seen anyone post a figure near that for a virgin block. You will see it stated from 10.225" to 10.235", but common is 10.230".
I had one factory block clean up at 10.203".


.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

Pontiac deck height. Actual factory blueprint says 10.2437". This per Dick D. when at Indian Adventures designing the after market block. That said, I have never seen anyone post a figure near that for a virgin block. You will see it stated from 10.225" to 10.235", but common is 10.230".
I had one factory block clean up at 10.203".


.

Steve, my virgin '59 389 block has a deck height of 10.246/10.248. Both of my '72 400 blocks are both 10.235 or a little less.

[63gpman]

well, I picked up a set of those rods. I am going to bring them to my engine builder to have them checked out. I did weigh them on my postage scale and 6 weighed 754 grams and 2 weighed 753 grams. Not sure how accurate the scale is though and only weighed them once each.
-
they have 8740 bolts already in them, any way to know if these are ok to run or just replace up front?

[tom s]

Is ARP stamped on them?Tom

[63gpman]

No, ARP is not stamped on them.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by 63gpman

they have 8740 bolts already in them, any way to know if these are ok to run or just replace up front?

For a Pontiac Engine with the longer strokes vs say a SB chebby, I would not even think about using a 8740 bolt and would spend the money for the ARP 2000 bolts from the get-go.

I have a couple of sets of the older Eagle Pontiac Rods and before, I USE THEM, they will also get the upgraded bolt. Just my opinion on the deal as the fastener is "the heart" of the rod and whether the rod lives or not in most cases.

Tom V.