small journal rods

[Leon Brown]

Rebuilding a 283. My understanding the powder metal rods under GM #12495071 is for the large journal crankshaft. What connecting rod is recommended for the small journal crank?
Leon

Leon

[GL Anderson]

Re: small journal rods

There are a few choices out there. Scat makes a forged small journal rod that is more than capable. Street price is about $250 for a set of 8. Others will surely chip in with different choices. GL

[Brian Monticello]

Re: small journal rods

There is a recent thread discussing rods... in fact the archives should yield many rod suggestions. I went with the SCAT rods for my 327 because they are tough and inexpensive...but they are heavy.

Brian

[Joe L.]

Re: small journal rods

Leon-----

Yes, the GM rods won't work for you. Currently, GM offers NO SERVICE rods, whatsoever, for small journal, small block applications.

Howard's Cams in conjunction with GKN Sinter Metals (the manufacturer of the powder metal forgings that GM uses for its rods) are coming out with small journal, forged powder metal rods. I don't know if they're actually available yet, or not, so the timing might not work for you. However, you can call them at 920-233-5228 and find out. They also offer other conventional forged rods for small journal small blocks, but I don't know what the cost is.

Most, if not all, of Howard's products are American-made and of very high quality.

[Clare Carpenter]

You could use what you have....IF

they are undamaged and you have some rod reconditioning work done, to include magnafluxing, resizing, balancing, shot peening, new bolts, etc.

Some will say stock rods are only good when used as paperweights but after reconditioning they should hold up fine for most except the harshest conditions. If you want bulletproof go with a set of forged Crower Sportsmans, around $400 bones.