Having wiped out my forged 327 sj crank, I'm considering putting a sj 283 or 302 forged crank in. I'd like to use the same pistons they are +.030 327 pistons, they're forged 12.15:1 #L2211AF. I know they make a 5.850 rod at Eagle. This would get me close I figure I'd be over by .022 on the comp height using the 327 piston with the 3 inch stroke. Since the pistons are floating pin, when I bush the rods it seems I can offset the bore down enough to correct the length. Or is .022 inch too much to correct when bushing a rod? Anyone tried this or another combo to use the 327 piston with a 3 inch stroke?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
I was not aware they made a SJ Chevy rod 5.850" long. Do they make them in that size in a bushed configuration out of the box? I bought a set of 5.7" bushed and am very pleased.

You might also consider running the floating pistons in press fit rods as this is not a problem. I would not advise bushing the rods after you get them IMHO but talk to the manufacturer. You might be O.K. on the length "as is" depending on the deck ht you have now. The alternative is to mill .022"-.025" off the top of the quench area of the piston to get down to zero deck with the block. I like that idea.

By the way...Why are you destroking your engine?

-Mark.

Dave,
It would seem to me that any competent
machine shop could alter the rods for you.
They might have to machine out the wrist pin hole larger in order to get the .022 though
as the wall of the bushing might get pretty thin.I think if they open the bushing bore
like .030 and install new bushings you'd only
lose .007 of bushing wall thickness after the
shift.

------------------
'86 Firebird pro street
suspension,moser 48" 12 bolt,spool,4.56,10point
cage,452 bbc,400t w/brake

Thanks guys for the quick responses.

Mark Eagle makes an H beam rod with 4340 steel and 7/16 bolts part number CRS5859S-3D for 569.99. Their website is:
www.herbertperformance.com (http://www.herbertperformance.com)

I really like to wind the small blocks and feel you need to use the shorter strokes to get the top end performance from them. I know most people are going with stroker motors these days, but all my stuff is for high end, big solid cams, very large plenum intakes, ect. I really like the 302 and always wanted to try the largest surface area piston I could get in a small block with the three inch stroke, just for kicks. Just wondering how feasible this is going to be to try.

I am running pressed rods on the 331 pistons in a motor right now without any problems, so yes you're right it works well. I found some main journal damage a few weeks ago when I was going to add studs and a windage tray and I'm trying to decide if I should repair it or move on to something else for the time.

Dave

Forgot to mention the Eagle rods come bushed. I know you can fit .990 big block Chevy pins to small block rods, though I question it's necessary to do. SBC pins are .927 so you've got at least .031 offset to work with without getting into trouble, since the bbc pin is .063 larger in diameter.

Well, sounds like a plan. I also love the high winding motors. Thats why the 357 came out and the 302 went back in http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif

My engine guys do not like to bush stock rods. They favor the Eagles out of the box. I bought the bushed SIR's and realy like them. The guy that did the balancing said it was going to be a realy sweet motor. The piston/rod combo ended up being even lighter than the factory setup so it should realy rev nicely after I finish my overly cautious extended break in. I need to finish changing out the front springs and I will be back on the road this week.

-Mark.