I just got my connecting rods from Hot Heads. They were made in China and machined in the USA They look good and use bolts instead of bolts and nuts like the orginals. They also don't have the passage in them to oil the cam shaft like the orginals. I hope this is not going to be a problem. Do you think there will be enough oil splashed around to oil everything? The Engine I'm working on is a 331. These rods are forged and really look like they will do the job.
I personally wouldn't run anything made in China in a rotating assembly without some kind of documented proof that it meets ANY kind of industry standard and level of quality. Unless you're running some insane boost, you would be fine with a stock set of rods for a fraction of the price. What is your application? Is this a blown motor? Tell us a bit more.
Are these the ones you are talking about? http://www.hothemiheads.com/pistons_rods/rods_forged_hbeam.html
This engine is for street use only. The rods I pulled out of the engine were in rough shape and I had to use a die grinder to cut a couple of the rods to get the pistons out of the engine. The crank cleaned up to .20 under. The rods I got are the ones you have pictured. The block cleaned up at .60 over.
Almost all of those types of rods ( in that price range) are forged in China. Almost all of big name rod companies source their rods from there and do the machining in the U.S. The fact is that you would pay twice as much for a rod forged and machined in the States. As with ANY aftermarket part, they should be double checked by your machine shop before putting into use. You should be fine using them.
Are camshafts this way too? I don't care where stuff is made, as long as it right, despite the overtone in my above statements. Every business is just trying to stay afloat in the current economy, which means certain choices have to be made about where component cores come from. I think that goes with just about anything, this day in age. I forget that sometimes... Curious to see how things work out with the new rods. Hope they work out good! Please let us know when you get them set up and pushing power!
Not sure, but cast cams could be imports as evidenced by the spotty availability. Billets appear to be home-grown, carved up by the selling company. Lifters are another story. Only a hand full are made here. .
The block had at least 5 cylinders that filled up with water that froze and split. I cut the other seven rods to get the crankshaft out. Crank will get magged this week.
Back in the late 50's I was using stock hemi rods that Al Hubbard in Hayward Ca. reheat treated. He then rebuilt them and installed new rod bolts. I was using the 331 hemi engine in a drag boat running a 6-71 blower on gasoline. I never had any rod troubles. Has anyone else heard of this?
i have used those hh rods for years with no problems. its a 354 stroked to 392 on gas/blown/hh heads street driven and raced. i turn 7500 rpm with 12 lbs of boost. the hot tip with those rods is get the tang machined on the other side and use the pontiac bearings. they are much cheaper and readily available.
Could you elaborate a bit more on the Pontiac bearings? Year? Engine? Etc? I plan to start working on my 392 this fall/winter and anything I can do to help cut cost down a bit without compromising reliability would be great.
With the price and availability of the early hemi bearings, it is really not cost effective in this day and age to go the Pontiac bearing route.
the best thing to do is call bob at hh. as far as the rod goes when you order the rod the notch for the tang is machined on the opposite side. the use of 389 style bearings allows me to go to my local parts store and get bearings right away. and they are cheaper do some research and see how much you can save. i run a 354 and am not sure if this will work for the 392 thats why i say call bob. my combo uses a 392 billet crank with the rods and mains turned down to a 392 size also .050 was added to the thrust. over bored .060 now you have a 392 with better port angeles and about 35 pounds lighter.
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