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Phoenix and other conrod bolts

To: Richard.Morbey@taywood.co.uk
Subject: Phoenix and other conrod bolts
From: Pat Mullen <pmullen@telus.net>
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2000 14:46:44 -0700
Cc: mg-mmm@autox.team.net
References: <H00002f6021f753f.0965802775.rs06.taywood.co.uk@MHS>
Reply-to: Pat Mullen <pmullen@telus.net>
Sender: owner-mg-mmm@autox.team.net
Richard, Terry et al:

ARP is Automotive Racing Products in California and they make fasteners
used for race car and cooking engines. They will design and supply
fasteners to your specs - generally these are quite expensive - my son's
Datsun Roadster business has had this done in order to replace Cyl Head
bolts with studs.
ARP also has a vast supply of all sorts of fasteners suitable for cars
varying from Porsches to American V8s at good prices; SOME OF THESE FIT
"P" and "N" MMMs ORIGINAL CONRODS WITHOUT ANY MODS (see below).
My professional mechanic friends swear by ARP.

ARP bolts should be tightened using the moly lube they supply,
preferably using a stretch gauge, altho you can use the torque ARP
specify with the bolts. As I might feel a little safer with loctite I
have bought ARP's stretch gauge for $158 (see page 57 of their catalog).

Please note that as far as I am aware ARP do not make single-use bolts,
indeed they tell you to fully tighten and loosen their rod bolts five
times before finally tightening them. However they may have supplied
single-use bolts for Phoenix.

ARP's website at www.arp-bolts.com has a comprehensive catalog,
downloadable in PDF. Pages 11-17 are particularly interesting,
especially the "waveloc" stuff on page 15.

ARP makes three types of replacement con rods - standard, waveloc and
waveloc "pro". All three are available for "P" and "N" MGs (and possibly
other MMMs).
I sent my (original) N rods to ARP who were able to supply EXACT
replacement bolts and nuts in all three types, using the 5/16" bolts for
the Ford Small Block 289-302. Last February I bought 2 sets - 16
standard and 16 waveloc, for $60.88 each set. Our engine M/C shop owner
told me that they were all overkill for a 56 hp MG.
Part numbers:
154-6002 for 16 standard bolts (154-6022 for 2)
154-6402 for 16 waveloc bolts (154-6422 for 2)

I have no connection with ARP except as a (so far) satisfied customer..

Hope this helps.

I have also bought piston rings from Deves ($90 for one 6 cyl engine)
and a paper oil filter element for the early 1980s Mercedes 190E
(needed  minor spacer work inside the original housing) for the "N"
type. If anyone is interested I'll email details.

Cheers.......Pat Mullen, NA0895



Richard.Morbey@taywood.co.uk wrote:
> 
> --openmail-part-0495a55a-00000001
> Content-Disposition: inline; filename="BDY.TXT"
>         ;Creation-Date="Wed, 9 Aug 2000 07:33:02 +0100"
> 
> Terry:
> 
> Thanks for your reply.
> 
> Just thought I would follow up with a comment about the suggestion that
> Phoenix apply heat treatment to the con. rod bolts used is association
> with the rods for their crankshafts.
> 
> Evidently, they simply buy these items  in direct from a USA company
> called ARP (Automotive Racing Parts?) and they are used and fitted as
> shipped.  I also understand that it is vital that these bolts, which
> are single use components, MUST be oiled before fitting as failure to
> do so adversely affects the coefficient of friction for them - and it
> is likely that this would result in overtightening, as they are not
> exactly finger tightenable.
> 
> Hope this contribution may add light rather than heat to the debate!
> 
> Regards
> 
> Dick Morbey
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Morbey, Richard
> Sent: 07 August 2000 22:32
> To: 'TATERRY@aol.com'; 'mg-mmm@autox.team.net'
> Subject: RE: Phoenix connecting rod bolts
> 
> Dear All,
> 
> I was concerned to read Terry's message which suggested that there
> might be a problem with the well-regarded Phoenix products.  My concern
> was based on self-interest as my PB engine (yet to be fired up for the
> first time) has been assembled with a Phoenix crank and rods.
> 
> Enquiry from a source with very direct knowledge of Phoenix and their
> business reveals that there was indeed a failure of a MMM racing engine
> in the USA within the last year resulting from a rod bolt failure.
> Tests conducted show that the failure occurred because the single-use
> stretch bolts had been overtightened well beyond the recommended
> torque, which I understand (but please check with Phoenix) is 35 foot
> pounds.
> 
> As to rumours of the imminent demise of Phoenix - I am assured that
> there is no basis of fact behind this story.  Mark Twain had a similar
> experience, I gather.
> 
> The MMM bulletin board is a veritable mine of information, but I felt
> moved to respond on this occasion because I know only too well the
> damage - however unintended - that can be caused overnight to
> reputations that have been hard-earned over years.
> 
> I should add a disclaimer that I have no relationship with Phoenix
> other than being a (so far) satisfied customer.
> 
> Regards to all
> Dick Morbey
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TATERRY@aol.com [mailto:TATERRY@aol.com]
> Sent: 04 August 2000 16:28
> To: mg-mmm@autox.team.net
> Cc: TATERRY@aol.com
> Subject: Phoenix connecting rod bolts
> 
> Dear Prewarriors,  a note of caution!  From an extremely reliable
> source,
> I've learned that the results of an independent engineering failure
> analysis
> said that rod bolts heat treated by Phoenix in early 1999 resulted in a
> faulty batch!! and that was the direct cause of a catastrophic failure
> of a
> MMM engine of some note.
>  It was also said that Phoenix is going to fold up in 2001.
> 
> This information is second hand and not collaborated by any
> documentation.
> It is not my purpose to spread rumors and my information is that
> Phoenix has
> always manufactured a very high quality product.  Being in the rolling
> stock
> business, I know first hand how easily something like this can happen
> by an
> outside vendor.  So just to caution that if you have rod bolts
> installed in
> your engine that may have come from this batch, you'd be advised to
> replace
> them....that would be January or February of 1999.
> 
> Terry
> 
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