Hey Im replacing pistons and thinking about rods now, this is supposed to be a low budget, relatively anyways, setup but I was wondering if there is anything needed in order to swap a set of good stock bearings over to an aftermarket rod besides popping them off and placing them on the other rod. I already know whats involved replacing the piston except whether or not you have to have the pin pressed in by a shop. In which case they would need to slide the rod on as it was being pressed in correct? When I get money for a better setup I would like to re-use the rods, is there anything I would need to have done to them before re-use?

 

Since you are replacing pistons, I assume you are having a shop check the block for wear before buying any. You may need to bore or at least hone for the new rings. Checking the crank wear and new bearings are a must if you are this far into it. Yes, stock pistons have to be pressed off/on the rods. Might be a good idea to get new rod bolts. The shop can install them and then resize the rods.

 

There is so much work involved in the motor R+R, teardown and re-assembly that it's just plain nuts not to replace bearings. They are cheap, even on a low budget rebuild.

Rich

 

Well for new bearings I would need to resurface the crank correct? Maybe I should stick to just the pistons and run less power untill I can really do it right, anything beyond that seems like its not worth it at the moment. BTW this is not an F-body Im having to pull a motor out of, I already have the motor out of a car and going on a stand where it is easy to work on, also what its goin in is not an F-body so it would still be easier to work on really. Ill figure out what the limits of the stock rods are and limit it to tad less... Heard of an STS turbo LT1 making 600rwhp and nearly 700rwtq and bent one or more so its most likely gonna be less than that lol. Also how helpfull would a main stud girdle and main studs be in preventing distortion that might effect bearing and crank surface wear. If its somethign that might help now I can always re-use the studs and girdle later as well if they are not too expensive.

 

For almost the cost of having the stock rods redone you can buy Eagle 4340 I beams for about $200 and they are much stronger

 

That was another question, if replacing the piston what about the rod needs to be redone when its put on the new piston. Also would I need to rebalance the rotating assembly with new pistons or are they balanced within so many grams to where it wont need it?

 

Everything on thge rod needs checked. Big end, little end is the rod straight, plus it will need resized when you put in ARP bolts.
Yes the rotating assembly will need balanced

 

DAMNIT what an expensive pain in the ***. Oh well looks like its gonna be a long time...