Bushing 1.094 Rods For .990 Pins?

[Al K]

Ok...a discussion with a buddy started this. I've got a set of Six-Pack(1.094" pin) rods and a good used set of Venolia +.030 pistons with .990" pins. The question,as you've figured out, is this: Can the larger pin rods be bushed for a .990 pin safely? Would the extra material in the bushing prove to be too "soft"(for lack of a better term) and eventually develop too much play/clearance? The other question that came up was machining the pistons for a 1.094 pin,and the expense of that versus just getting new slugs. Just for informational purposes,it would be a steel crank 10.0-10.5:1 cr mill,with an intended rpm limit of MAX 6500-I'd like to limit that to 6000-6200;we'll see. The rods will be polished and lightened and magnufluxed;the pistons are "stepped" for an o.c. head. I may get the domes removed if I go to smaller chamber heads;another "we'll see...".

Thanks,as always!

 

[mopar367]

Hi there I have a set of regular ly rods that have been bushed from 1.094 press fit size to 0.990 floating. There is plenty of material left on the bused ends. They dont seem to have uneven wear on the bushings either. As for your other question with machining 0.990 pin pistons for press fit sized pins. You would be better off to just buy a new set of pistons. I'm sure it could be done, but the cost would be very high.

With the cost of scat and eagle h beams, you are almost better off to just buy a new set of rods in my opinion. Even if you bush a set of rods they are still old rods to begin with.

 

[Al K]

Mopar367;these came out a well-cared for motorhome mill. I don't think they ever saw "severe" use. Heck,I'm planning on using the crank out of that motor;it was that clean! You make a very valid point,but,it's either new pistons or new rods;not sure if I could afford both-unless you guys are buyin'! I've still got block machine work and heads/prep and valvetrain to deal with. Cha-ching,indeed.

 

[mopar367]

Ya I hear ya, I just went through the same thing. I had new pistons for a 1.094 pin, and I had these rods with some old pistons. So I ended up buying 440 source house brand I beams with 7/16 rod bolts. If you are interested Id trade you these rods for your six pack ones.

 

[Meep-Meep]

There is a bushing available and I'm having this done to a motor I'm building for a buddy. The bushing is silicon bronze and that material is pretty tough so I don't expect any issues.

Rods are the standard LY and they will be slinging some really light weight pistons as this is a 451 build. I smoothed out the forging line on the rod and with new bolts and a resize they should come in at a little more than half the price of the H beams. The reduced piston weight will reduce stress so I'm not worried, especially since this is a fairly mild street engine.

 

[Al K]

Meep;thanks. The appeal of new pistons is in a lighter-weight piece;these Venolias are rather heavy. The rods,even after polishing and weight loss(massive pads on both ends) will still be a bit heavy. I know taking some weight off of the small end while spinning around will definitely help with rod longevity. ARP bolts are definitely planned-everywhere! I need to acquire a quality scale and see what I'm dealing with,then get these rods out to get mag-ed before I do anything else.

Mopar367;lemme think about it. If I were to be able to upgrade the rods,I'd go straight to H-beams.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Al, I will add that you should not sacrifice strength in favor of weight reduction. Just clean the forging line off the beam and call it done. ARP bolts are a good call and precision balancing is mandatory.

 

[Cranky]

Al, I will add that you should not sacrifice strength in favor of weight reduction. Just clean the forging line off the beam and call it done. ARP bolts are a good call and precision balancing is mandatory.

6 pack rods are pretty meaty and I usually work on the beams more than I would on a set of LY's. Every gram counts but yeah, don't get carried away You ought to work on a set of Hemi rods lol. Man, those dang things are monsters!