while looking on ebay last night, i found a guy who was parting out three powerstroke engines. his description said he had three sets of rods, and i emailed him to see if there were any forged rods. he said there is a matched set of eight (8) forged rods for $250 plus shipping. he isn't making an ebay auction i dont THINK, but PM me and ill give you his email address, so you can chat or possibly make a deal. i would buy them and just keep them until i tore into the engine, but i have to pass on it now, and i figured i'd let my FTE buddies have a shot at it.

 

WOW...having a '02 gives me PMR nightmares!
I'll PM u Strokin...i want some rods.
Nut

 

Looking for rods, take a look at these.

03-15-2006 @ 08:16:43 AM
Name bbunting
E-mail blackwidowpuller@aol.com
City Cedar Rapids
State Iowa
Phone
Item 2000 stock forged cryoed balanced rods
Price 525.00
Description http://community.webshots.com/photo/...34986786qdAVgZ Rods are back from the machine shop, ready to install. The rods are balanced, cryogenically treated. They started as Ford reman forged. Shipping included

 

Diesel Innovations has a set for $480.

 

CYROGENIC TEMPERING

There are many imposters, but only one computer-controlled, deep cyrogenic process. It was developed by Peter Paulin of 300 Below, in Decatur, Illinois. NASA and the military experimented with deep freezing (to minus 120 degrees F) during the early'60s. Common with many tech­nologies, the advent of the microproces­sor allowed the full benefit to take shape. 300 Below, was the first to integrate elec­tronic controls into the freezing process, and is considered the pioneer of deep cyrogenics. Their procedure has the abil­ity to neutralize both mechanical and thermal stresses, with no negative side affects. Referred to as a processor, the equipment resembles a large chest-style meat freezer.

The secret to their success is the abil­ity to accurately control the temperature incrementally. Normal refrigeration is used to bring the part to minus 100 degrees F. Then, nitrogen gas is intro­duced to take the temperature down to minus 300 degrees F. Once the part reaches this temperature it stays in the cryogenic processor for 24 to 36 hours, depending on mass and material compo­sition. After the deep freeze is complete, the warm-up cycle starts with the tem­perature very slowly being raised to 375 degrees F, and slowly returned back to room temperature.

During the deep freeze the molecu­lar structure actually draws closer but never reaches absolute zero, where there is no movement of electrons. During the controlled warm-up the molecules are accelerated and the grain structure of the metal takes its natural form, lim­iting distortion and adding strength and dimensional stability. How much strength? 300 Below Motorsports has added 200 to 300 per­cent useful life to all types of race engines from NHRA Pro Stock, Top Fuel, tractor pulls, and everything else in between.

Good judgment needs to be used in order to determine what components would benefit most from being treated. New parts are a natural because they are in good condition (unless they were manufactured incorrectly). Used parts can be (and are) often treated, but should be examples that still have a use­ful life expectancy, to justify the expense of treatment. Pricing for the service is calculated at $2.50 per pound, with a minimum charge of about $50. As an incentive to reap the most benefit from deep cryogenic processing, a complete engine package is offered for about $575 (plus shipping). This includes every individual component of the long­block, including rings, bearings, and valvetrain parts.

 

Neat stuff.

 

You know I have been toying with the idea of finding another 7.3 that needs rebuilt and taking the time to do it right using some of the same basic techniques I use when building my gas race engines, like actually balancing it, working over the rods which on stock stuff is usually polishing and shotpeening them but that cryo might be a way to go if you have forged rods to start with.
I also figured about every engine can stand a little work on the heads and supercharged engins of any type can always use work on the exhaust side, just kinda wondering how much better I can build a PSD to run just taking my time in building one with good parts and some extra thought put into the assembly.

 

Sounds like an interesting project..indeed! I've had the same thoughts myself.
Nut

 

I just checked with my parts dept. I can get a reman connecting rod for a navistar T444E for $35 plus core charge. I see some people selling them for $1200 a set because they are forged. What gives??

 

I have a set of very nice forged rods... PM or e-mail me with an offer. I can take some pictures if you want them as well....