I cannot find a set of connecting rod bolts for the 2000 7.3 I’m rebuilding. Unavailable from Ford with no availability date. ARP says June but no ship date.
Does anyone have a set they could part with or know where I can get my hands on a set. Happy to pay full retail and shipping or replace them when they are available again.
I have never re-used rod bolts. Some people (people I trust) have told me to just r-use the old ones. I trust the machine shop owner where my parts are being re-done and they looked at me sideways when I mentioned it. I will have a considerable amount of money invested in this build to chance a failure over $200.00 worth of bolts. But I really wanted to avoid finishing this engine and installing it in the middle of summer.
Comments, Advice or just a vote would be appreciated especially from anyone who has some 1st hand experience with rod bolt failure or success after re-use would be greatly appreciated. I would definitely prefer to replace them. Thanks in advance

 

I cannot help with a source for the bolts, but perhaps @PriusLover will be able to provide some advice.

Background story to the tag and plea for help is at the link below.

Link: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post20341119

 

Did you try Riffraff diesel? He use to sell rods and bolts. But in my gas build days, reusing rod bolts where fine unless you are going for some really serious power. What are you building? I mean HP wise.

 

Thanks Sous, I sent a message to Prius lover. I’m getting conflicting advice but my gut tells me to just wait till they are available from ARP again. My real worry is that the availability date could get pushed back for some reason

 

Bonanza35, great advice. Yes I talked to Clay at Riffraff. I have bought all off my parts for this build from him. He didn’t know when ARP bolts would be available again so I checked their website and it just says June. Clay is also one of the people that said the rod bolts are not a common failure point on these engines and that a lot of people just re-use them. I have already had the rods re-sized and installed new bushings so using the old bolts does not appeal to me at all.
I am trying to put it back together with all OEM factory parts with just a few minor upgrades. Not looking for more ponies just longevity and reliability.
I would have no problem replacing them with OEM FORD but Clay also told me they are no longer available, I assume that means ever.
This is my first Diesel build but I but quite a few gassers when I was a lot younger. My GrandDad always told me new rod bolts were cheap insurance and the old ones were not worth the risk.

 

ARP says August, maybe July at the soonest. Some Ford dealers might have like four of the stock bolts on hand. You can still get them from International for ~26 a piece. The International manual doesn't say the bolts need to be replaced, and says bolts should be cleaned and dipped in motor oil when being reused.

If you not going much past stock power, and the engine hasn't been opened up before, assuming the bolt threads look fine and there is no obvious stretching, you'll probably be alright reusing them.

 

Your grand dad mighty of been talking right for years ago. Today material is much better, especially diesel parts. Being your going for stock to not over 500HP I would reuse them. Remember these things only turn 3K rpm's or so opened up. Just my 2 cents, lots of guys on here never had a problem except for the early tuning days and most if not all were rod relatered. I mean broken rods!

 

I'm about 2.5 years and around 85k on my reused bolts and knock on wood no issues from the bottom end.

 

I have re used the rod bolts for years
If you want to keep it stock why are you wanting ARP bolts?
If you are running propane or making big numbers then okay I get it
The OEM bolts will handle quite a bit

 

Ok, I’m back. Sorry, nothing but chaos here. So far being retired is way busier than having a job.
Thanks to all for taking time to post your thoughts and opinions
I’m starting to think I might re-use the old bolts even though that voice in the back keeps saying, Don’t do it.
When I have an extra minute I’m still calling around trying to find stock bolts in inventory at Ford dealerships. I’m hoping to find a few here and there to make a full set. No luck so far.
The fact that nobody keeps them in inventory could mean that even Ford re-uses the old ones and there is just no demand for them.
OEM from Clay at Riffraf is roughly $ 275 IF they were available
ARP is about the same including tax and shipping. Also if they were available.
PriusLover says they are are still available from international at $26 each. After taxes and shipping over $500. I guess it’s true, if you’re the only game in town you make the rules.
If I had not known there were cheaper alternatives I would have paid my money and I would not be here whining about it.
Now I just have to suck it up and make a choice.
Thank you all for contributing
I’ll let you know what I decide when that happens.

 

That is why no one has them in stock
You do not need them for a engine rebuild
I would spend the money on something else

 

All the international techs I spoke with said they replace them, and all other critical fasteners, on rebuilds simply because of cheap insurance and because it doesn't really cost them anything. A few thought it could be okay to reuse them in a pinch because they aren't TTY per the manual, a few others thought they should be replaced on principle because you don't know if they've stretched or fatigued over time.

If you call an international dealer and explain your situation they might give you fleet price which is like 20 a bolt. I might be able to get you a set and ship them to you if need be (no sales tax here).

The Ford part # is "obsolete" which is why most dealers only have maybe four left on hand. I tried to price it out but with shipping from four different dealers it was cheaper to get them from International.

In the end, you could try re-using and see if you get the proper clearance when using plastigauge.

 

Looks like you have been talked into replacing them and that is okay with me
I sent my Boss rods to Livonia MI to have the Roush boys install new bolts in mine and polish the side beams for big money back in 1981
So I can't say anything about spending big dough on your mill. do it if you want it
You should be able to buy new Ford rods with new Ford bolts for 500 right?