Connecting Rod Bolt Replacement?
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
From: East Helena MT
Connecting Rod Bolt Replacement?
I am rebuilding a 390 for my dad to be used in a farm pickup. I have the engine apart, all cleaned up and ready to put back together. I was looking in my garage and I have a extra set of ARP rod bolts. My question is should I replace the bolts or leave the stock ones in there? The engine will be lucky to see of 2500-3000 RPM with my dad.
My next question is if I do replace the rod bolts do I need to have the rod's re sized?
Jeff
My next question is if I do replace the rod bolts do I need to have the rod's re sized?
Jeff
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
I've replaced the bolts in an assembled short block, one at a time and it was fine. That was a roller 5.0 and was subjected to daily floggings to 6500 rpms and then 7500 for 4 months after that. Sold them to another fellow who used em in his motor. When I pulled them from the first motor, all bearings looked normal. If they're not assembled in the motor, I'd have em resized if changing the bolts, but for what you're going to do, I'd skip em.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
From: East Helena MT
I just want to make sure this engine does not fly apart. When I rebuilt my 360 in high school I just reused all the old bolts, heads, mains and rods. Knock on wood nothing has come apart.
Since then I have rebuilt a few other makes of engines reusing the old bolts and both times the rods flew out the side of the block. The worst part about it is I wasn’t doing any kind of hot-Roding, going down the high way both engines started knocking and shortly after that out came the rods.
I would hate to spend the money to rebuild this engine and have the same outcome so I just wanted to get the opinion of the FE goo-roos in here.
If the stock bolts are good enough for retirement work on a farm then I will do that and save my ARP bolts for another project.
If anyone else has an opinion on the subject please let me know. Thanks,
Jeff
Since then I have rebuilt a few other makes of engines reusing the old bolts and both times the rods flew out the side of the block. The worst part about it is I wasn’t doing any kind of hot-Roding, going down the high way both engines started knocking and shortly after that out came the rods.
I would hate to spend the money to rebuild this engine and have the same outcome so I just wanted to get the opinion of the FE goo-roos in here.
If the stock bolts are good enough for retirement work on a farm then I will do that and save my ARP bolts for another project.
If anyone else has an opinion on the subject please let me know. Thanks,
Jeff
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: Madison, SD
I've never put new rod bolts in without resizing the rods. Worked in an automotive machine shop many years ago and have seen first hand what happens when you don't.....If it worked without resizing for some, they were lucky....
For the trucks intended usage, think I'd just re-assemble with the OEM bolts as they are.....
For the trucks intended usage, think I'd just re-assemble with the OEM bolts as they are.....
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Klamath Falls OR
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
I've never put new rod bolts in without resizing the rods. Worked in an automotive machine shop many years ago and have seen first hand what happens when you don't.....If it worked without resizing for some, they were lucky....
For the trucks intended usage, think I'd just re-assemble with the OEM bolts as they are.....
For the trucks intended usage, think I'd just re-assemble with the OEM bolts as they are.....
We used stock rod bolts in our Poor Mans 427 just to prove a point on what a person can do with stock stuff. JMO
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
From: East Helena MT
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,785
Likes: 4
From: Mddl A MexCans
bolted my 352 back together with the original rod guts and frankly I drive the crap out of it 
Upgraded to a 4bbl/RVcam during the build and it really likes it.. doesnt seem to be coming apart yet "knock on wood" heheh
Upgraded to a 4bbl/RVcam during the build and it really likes it.. doesnt seem to be coming apart yet "knock on wood" heheh
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jimkari
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
8
Oct 21, 2019 01:56 PM
PROSTOCK
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
3
Mar 20, 2017 10:21 PM
ND_Stroker_6.0
Performance & General Engine Building
0
Sep 6, 2016 02:03 AM
pcpotter1023
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Jun 8, 2016 12:45 AM
Gabriel0430
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Dec 16, 2015 01:56 PM
