Aluminum Rods

[Hans Olsson]

Originally Posted by Ven302

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.

Have they ever floated?

[randy wilson]

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.

[Michael Lyons]

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.

[Tom Goldman]

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

[Ven302]

Originally Posted by Hans Olsson

Have they ever floated?

only when they get caught up in the valve springs

[art leong]

I've been debating steel or aluminum for a month or so for my next motor. Was ready to go to steel, but now I'm not so sure. I run a very light, small bore piston.(3.485)

[Scotty D]

i'm sorry to bring this back up guys,but i also have a question,at what rpm would you draw the line between running a steel rod or an aluminum rod.thank you in advance for the reply's.

[trmnatr]

Originally Posted by Scotty D

i'm sorry to bring this back up guys,but i also have a question,at what rpm would you draw the line between running a steel rod or an aluminum rod.thank you in advance for the reply's.

I like aluminum rods for over 7600-8000rpm as you can turn rpms safe after that. You dont have to have a 320gram piston like you do with a steel rod

I like domed pistons for 302-327-350 to be in the 420-480gram range "In My Opinion"