Connecting Rod ID

[Bill Lloyd]

I am rebuilding my 72' 350 engine (3970010), CKW. I am trying to figure out which rods I have. It seems very little is published about Small Block rods, umlike Big Block rods. The rods have the letter "O" cast in the CAP on each side of the balance pad.


The letters GM are cast in the rod portion near the bolt on one side and the number 952 or 918 is cast on the other side. I am trying to find out what material they are forged from. My only other options are bowtie rods or aftermart rods. I would like to polish, magnuflux, and shootpeen these. The engine will produce about 300 HP @ 5800 rpm. Thoughts?

[Duke W.]

Re: Connecting Rod ID

Can't help you with the ID, but knowing your engine RPO or horsepower would help ID them if they are original. Get good realistic estimates for the magnaflux, rework, and shot peen. Then check out the price for a set of Crower Sportman rods. They're sold in matched weight sets and your balancer shop will want to weight them to do the final crank balance. They're probably better than your rods no matter what you do to them and are good to 8000 revs on a 350.


Duke