[Healeys] Rods for 3000

Michael Salter msalter at precisionsportscar.com
Tue Dec 23 18:08:43 MST 2008


Hi Herb,
Resizing the big end of the rod as you describe is a very common maching
shop procedure. I have had this done on many race engines with total
success. $400 sounds a little steep, usually about $35 per rod up our way. 
If you are looking for a supplier of custom rods I would strongly recommend
Saenz Rods which I have used in several engines. They really are works of
art. 
You mention oversizing the OD of the big ends as a solution. I have done
this with the engine in AHX12 which now uses shells from a Continental
engine. 
If you want used rods, I have lots.

Michael Salter
100 (1953) #174
AHX12 (1953)
Bugeye (1961)
http://www.netbug.net/blogmichael/?p=432

-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Herbert Miller
Sent: December 23, 2008 5:55 PM
To: healeys
Subject: [Healeys] Rods for 3000

HELP

I an building a spare street 3000 engine from parts acquired years ago. Had
the crank turned 10 under both mains and rod journals as I had new 10 under
main and rod bearings.  Took my rods to my trusted machine shop for
inspection and balance. Bad news. Several of the big ends were out of round
by up to 2.5 to 3 thousands. Called a Healey racing friend who generously
gave me a set of stock rods he had laying around, as he uses special rods
for racing. Report from machine shop, not much better than my originals. Out
of round about the same. Big end measured with caps torqued to 50 ft lbs.
The original rods had +15 stamped on the side of the big end. The second set
had +10 to +16 stamped on them. 

Questions

1.	What do the numbers stamped on the rods mean? Are they factory?
2.	Is there a substitute rod that will work? Please do not recommend
Carrillo. 

One fix is to grind material off the rod end and the cap and resize the big
end. Machine shop says about $400.

A second option would be over size OD bearing shells, thus a simple honing
of the big end. Does any one know if these are available?

A third option are used rods fro UK. $130 each. But how do I know these will
have round big ends?

Any advice is welcome.

 

Herb

60 AN5

62 BT7

67 BJ8


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