Has anybody any experience with them? I am building a budget engine with old heavy press fit 2355 pistons. These look like a good alternative to rebuilding a stock rod. Also if I decide on an h-beam do I just press the bushing out for a press fit?

All the H beam rods have 7/16 bolts so as long as they have good bolts you'll have no issues . Cycle the bolts 3 times and then have the rods checked for roundness , its been said they aren't always round . as far as driving out the bushing for a pressfit

Now it's really funny...there are a lot of guys on this board who are doing some pretty outrageous things with stock rods, and having luck. My main beef with the stock rods is the 3/8" rod bolts. The 440Source stock replacement rods have the larger bolts and are brand new forgings, yet no-one on this board except maybe me is going to say "Use'Em" Makes a person wonder.

Anyway, there's your answer. Use them. They look like a great deal especially if you follow John's advice about checking the big end. That should be done on every set of new rods. Be sure to put the big end in the proper vise before torquing.
R.

If you want to use their H-beam rods with factory stock pressed pins, then you need to get on the telephone.

I have been using them for several years with good results. Also using the same L2355F pistons. My machinist did touch up the big ends. http://store.440source.com/Connecting-Rods-RB-5140-Forged-Steel-NEW-Set-of-8/productinfo/200-1015/


By the time you buy good ARP bolts, MAG, shot peen, and resize stock rods you are talking similar cost $$. and still stuck with 3/8" bolts.
Seemed like a no brainer to me.
Dave

David,
Would you mind telling the rest of your combo, how much power and what you shift at?

I started with a low mileage forged crank '73 440 motorhome engine
Speed Pro L2355F .040 pistons .011" down in the hole. .028 MLS gasket .039 quench
Milled the Stealth heads to get a true 10-1 comp ratio
Has a mild Lunati Hyd cam .507"/.507 Lift 235/235 at .050 108 LSA 104 Intake center line
With the heavy pistons I wanded to keep the RPMs and the cost down with Stock stamped rockers and valve springs that came with the stealth heads

Intake is a Holley SD With an Edelbrock AFB style 800 cfm (NSS Legal)

Spark is 18 initial & 34 total all in by 2200PRM

Exhaust is Hooker Comps. 1-7/8" with 3" collectors running thru Full TTI exhaust to the back bumper w Super Turbo Mufflers (pretty quiet)

Has A dynamic 9.5" converter and a Fully Automatic John Cope 727. I just leave it in Drive and it shifts all by itseld at 5500.

Has a S-60 3.54 Power Loc Dana and 3800 lbs S/S springs. Its a pretty conservative gear but it helps keep the car consistant with small tires on some local tracks that are usually slippery

With me in the car and a full tank of gas it weighs right over 4000 lbs.
Im not really sure how much power its making but should be able to figure it out based on weight and trap speed

With 275-60-15 M/T DOT drag radials on 15X7" wheels it has gone 12.23 around 110 MPH on a warm day

With 9X29 Hoosiers on 15X8" wheels it has gone 12.13 at 111 MPH

The car fits 4 different classes and ran all 4 last year. Double entered it on many occastions
Pro ET. Sportsman ET, NSS/F (12.50 index) & DOT Street at MCIR

The rods should hold up even with the heavy pistons
Its a pretty conservative set up and drives great on the street Idles with 14 or 15 inches of vac.
Has good throttle responce and a wide power curve
Its Shell 93 Pump gas friendly Runs Cool even on hot days with the A/C on
One of these days Im going to make a drip tank for under the passenger seat so I can race with the A/C on going down the track