Copper plated rod???
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From: graham, wash.
Copper plated rod???
This is an ongoing project. Pulled the rod out of my 390 and one of the rods looks as if it's copper coated
. Took a file and lightly filed a very smal spot and the filings look just like copper. Appears to be about .005"-.010" thick. All the rods have the same number on them C6AE-C including the copper looking one. Any ideas as to what this is?
. Took a file and lightly filed a very smal spot and the filings look just like copper. Appears to be about .005"-.010" thick. All the rods have the same number on them C6AE-C including the copper looking one. Any ideas as to what this is?
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From: "Islander"
Copper! Back in the late 70's i worked on 390 motor that ran a pump in the California central valley that had black tarnished copper rods. Was told it was an industrial engine
but it wasn't a 391 FT engine. I'm looking for the "GOLDEN ROD" myself, (sorry). Carl.
.................................................. ............................................o&o>.. ............
but it wasn't a 391 FT engine. I'm looking for the "GOLDEN ROD" myself, (sorry). Carl.
.................................................. ............................................o&o>.. ............
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From: graham, wash.
It is the rod itselfe. The whole thing is covered with it like it was plated. The only parts that are not covered are where the bearing sits in the saddle and where the cap mates up to the rod. The cap looks like it was also covered at one time but most of it has been worn off or something. I wish I had a digital camara so I could post it so you could see it yourselfe. When the rods and pins were being fitted to the new pistons at the shop they had to replace one of the rods, but I don't remember any of them looking like that. That was about 7 years and less then 200 miles ago. The truck sat for a long time after I sold it. Thats why I got it back, it was killing me to see the old rig sitting there rotting away like that.
I will see if I can get someone to take a picture of it next week.
I will see if I can get someone to take a picture of it next week.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Portland, OR
Many years ago I was a mechanic at a golf coarse and repaired many a broken weed eater. I distinctly remember most of the higher-end weed eaters had copper plated connecting rods. If I had to guess, I would say it was an alternative to deburring the rod. The copper may counteract possible surface imperfections that would cause stress risers. This is only a guess and have never seen a copper plated rod in any other application before. If it were mine it would definately go on the shop wall as a conversation piece.
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From: Long Island USA
That's strange, especially if it's really .005-.010" thick!
I've seen copper on engine parts, usually after someone threw a connecting rod into the acid bath with the bearings still in it - the copper would melt and basically coat the rod, but not the entire thing, and certainly not .005" thick!
Sounds like a strengthening method ... or someone just didn't want it to rust...
I've seen copper on engine parts, usually after someone threw a connecting rod into the acid bath with the bearings still in it - the copper would melt and basically coat the rod, but not the entire thing, and certainly not .005" thick!
Sounds like a strengthening method ... or someone just didn't want it to rust...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Ohio
Sounds like a factory recon rod. I had a full set of eight in my first 428 motor(back in like 1992). From the info I was given was that fact that the factory screwed up when finishing them and so they plated them and resized them again. They sure do make for a neat picture. I don't think there is any issue with using them, I did.
I know I have a picture of the pieces as I put it together. I'll see if I can get it scanned and loaded in my gallery.
I know I have a picture of the pieces as I put it together. I'll see if I can get it scanned and loaded in my gallery.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by Freightrain
Sounds like a factory recon rod. I had a full set of eight in my first 428 motor(back in like 1992). From the info I was given was that fact that the factory screwed up when finishing them and so they plated them and resized them again. They sure do make for a neat picture. I don't think there is any issue with using them, I did.
I know I have a picture of the pieces as I put it together. I'll see if I can get it scanned and loaded in my gallery.
I know I have a picture of the pieces as I put it together. I'll see if I can get it scanned and loaded in my gallery.
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From: graham, wash.
.005"-.010" is just an estimated guess. I just don't want to file off what I would need to use a depth mic to get an exact number.A human hair is what,.002"-.004"? That's how I came up with the estimated guess. 
I'm going to go ahead and use it since it sounds like it' no big deal. Thanks.
I'm going to go ahead and use it since it sounds like it' no big deal. Thanks.
