polishing stock rods????

[hipsi2fly]

who knows actual advantages? i have 1 set that r not done and one set that either flat side is polished. what is the best way 2 do this and what is not right i want to figure out what set to use and what effect it has in the balancing process and so forth i do have a good idea but want your opinions/knowlege!!!!!
-----thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hipsi2fly]

NOBODY HUH???

 

[turbo nasty]

Any good machine shop that knows waz up. Will be able 2 help.

The whole work to the rods is the remove imperfections/castings a.k.a. stress risers that could lead/promote stress cracks.
And to help balancing, oil run off, etc.
A strength thing

 

[captrob]

Beaming rods...

My machinest did all 6 for $80. They look great! I couldn't even do them myself for that.
Worth it while everything is apart, in my opinion.
HTH, CaptRob

 

[gnx7]

you can do it yourself if you have the time. I did. The benefits are like everyone has mentioned. It is one of the tricks machinists learn and it makes sense.

Wrap the sides of the rod in some cardboard and snug it down in a vise with the beam facing you. Snug it only enuf so it won't move around when you work on it.

Now take a file and remove the casting flash (parting line) going from either the big end to the small end or vise versa.... and make the side smooth like I said only going in one uniform direction. Don't go side to side as that rearranges the metal in a motion that could weaken the area. It is actually very simple. Then after you file it nice and even (take off as little as possible), take a Dremel or drill with a sandpapper flapper wheel and polish it up until that sucker shines. Don't touch any other part of the rod as the machinist will remove metal to balance it and needs that to be there.

Take it to the machine shop to add ARP rod bolts and have it resized/balanced and you have 700hp+ capable rods. Buick designed these rods well. Stock crank/prepped rods/forged pistons and a girdle and like Jason Cramer you can run some 9's on a 109 block if you are nutz enuf to turn up the wick and tune it right.

Man I love these little motors!

-GNX7