Aluminum Rods
 

Just curious, how many runs are guys putting on a set of aluminum rods? Obviously the application is a variable, I'm talking high rpm 9000-10000 with light parts. Joe

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

I've heard people say over the years everywhere from 30 to 60 runs typically but I usually ring mine out to somewhere around 200 runs.. course that was with the Manley rods And I probably shut off early on half those runs..

You need to switch that thing over to some of the newer design/material light weight steel rods. Then ya just run em til they mag check bad or break ;-) lol

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

Thanks Mike, I always wanted to do a test on rod life,kinda like how many licks to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop right? your results may vary. I've got 63 runs on these MGP rods and trying to decide to replace them or not. Joe

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

Could you just call MGP and get some sort of an idea ? Give them all of your particulars, such as RPM's, Piston weight, etc,......... Just a thought!

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

I run mine to 100-120 runs, 9900-10300 trap rpm, but at the end of a year if they are in the 80-90 range out they go. too much of a pain to change them half way through the year.


at 120 runs i put them in a bucket of water and if they sink, they stay out.

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

Have they ever floated?

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

i have never broke an aluminum rod, but it happens alot. we have one 291 by parker engines 10 years old behind a g-force that has 600+runs at 9500 plus and we are going to run them till they break. grp rods. i do not change them till the bolts will not come out with fingers. after braking loose with wrench. most runs are 1/8 mile.

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

I believe the wise owl said it was 3 licks to the center of a tootsie pop.. LOL

I been getting some great deals on brand new rods off ebay, lite weight stuff. 300M Manleys, Carrillos, etc.. Only have run the Manleys. Some of these are light enough the bob wts are less than 100 grams heavier than my aluminum stuff.. waiting on a new set of carrillo's I got for 130 and some arrows I got for 180. :)

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

I've got a Top Sportsman customer who regularly puts in excess of 150 runs on his MGP rods,with nirtous,and a 2250 gram bob.......Know another who runs BME'S at 8800 in a 632 for at least 100 passes, And they are the lightend version with strap milled caps!........Last year I was dissapointed for the first time by a Carrillo rod! ....Broke one in my SG car with only 150 passes on it! ...the rod was severly fatigued at the big end where it broke....Heard the same thing has happened to several otf the circle track racers I know. .......I have an older Carrillo motor that has over 1000 passes on the rods ! Sent them back twice over the years to be checked and freshened up. ....I've gone back to BME'S which I used to run for at least 200 passes in my old 468 at over 8500 for my new motor. ..... I do like VEN'S water test ........Tom

Re: Aluminum Rods
 

only when they get caught up in the valve springs