The rest of the info is the production info from AAM. NV is the initials of the town it was made in, 1647 represents the day it was produced this year, etc. This info is from Matt Brooks (the gentleman who cast them).

 

According to the guys at Midwest Diesel, the 2017 shortblocks they have gotten to build so far have all had the smaller rods.

 

I wonder if the warranty short/long blocks for 2017 also came with these newer updated rods? Any info on the metallurgy of these new parts as compared to the older ones? The color difference could mean that it's a whole different mix of PM? I hope they're better than the old ones, as mentioned about the 7.3 forged vs PM ones?

 

That would definitely suck as I'm taking delivery of a job 2 truck soon!

 

No word on that. 6.0 and 6.4 rods were PM and they can take some serious abuse. We shall see.

 

Well, my F450 will be built in the next few weeks. It should have the new rods.
But I doubt if anyone would be able to tell the difference anyways.

 

Someone is having fun at our expense. The real 2017 rods have a slightly larger small end (1mm) for a larger wrist pin. Other than that, they look pretty much the same. From the side, the stock rods look rather skinny but from front to back they are pretty wide. It is actually a pretty strong piece. Ford is not going to change designs just like that. They would also have to change everything else in the rotating assembly in order to maintain balance.

 

I'm no expert, I've built a few motors in my life, but if we're to believe the photo showing the new/old rods, you'll notice the alleged new rod is missing the balance pad on the big end. Maybe ford had to lose the balance pad because they reinvested enough material (weight) elsewhere to maintain balance on the existing reciprocating assembly with minimal changes? Just a swag!

 

PM rods are at net shape when formed. A balance pad would not necessarily be required. If the new rod weighed more than the old one then there would also be a new crankshaft with a different counterweight and a new part #. It just does not add up. I think we've been had!

 

Could very well be a cruel hoax! LoL

 

I just read in another thread that the 2018s don't go into production until 11/20 which seems odd unless there are changes coming. If the rod pictured on the left is in fact for the 6.7 it may be for the 2018 model.

 

Ford said there are no changes until 2019 or 2020. Also, the current architecture of the 6.7 can support the planned HP and TQ increases until the 6.7 itself is replaced with something new. The internals are stronger than most people think!