Recently purchased a 230 wide main web 400 block.I would like to use a 4.15 stroke standard sized rod journal crank. 440source appears to offer one with the correct sized counterweights already.It will have aluminum main caps & girdle,and Milodon external oil system.I have both 440source H-beam steel rods (6.76) long,and new BME aluminum (426 series) 6.76 long
stock sized mopar dia. journal rods. I would like to use the aluminum rods.Does anyone have any experience with this combo?Interference problems?Iam willing and capable of doing some relief grinding.
Any info and experience would be greatly appreciated. I have a fresh set of Victor monster max-wedge heads for this combo, so I think it should run. Thanks, Bill

i've done mopar and chevy alum (BME) rods with a 400 block. the bottom of the cylinders will need a good notching if you use a mopar rod journal. chevy journal/rod not as bad.

need to notch out where oil pick up is,and bottom of cylinders,need to do mock up and that will tell you,i have a 230 block too,its a 540,4.500 crank,bme 396 rods,venolia pistons

Both same size/quality bolts?
I like aluminum when it's used properly: low RPM X high number of cycles, or high RPM X low number of cycles = safe. High cycles X high RPM = BANG.
British bikes used alloy rods for 50 years, Triumph 750 triples went 70,000 miles.

Remember Bill Jenkins' warning:
Once you decide how many runs it will make safely (200?), keep records.
When you reach that point, take them out.
Don't just throw them away, hit them with a big hammer, or you'll go looking for them for that "just one last time" - the one where you drive over the crank.

What about street/strip guys..............miles x passes=..........?

Curious: What is the weight difference?

Can't help with the Aluminum rods, but I'm running a 4.15" stroke 230 400 block with the Hughes CNC max wedge Victors. What rocker arms and intake manifold do you plan to use?

depends, maybe no weight difference. the alum rods are shock absorbers.

BME's website has some interesting discussion about using aluminum rods on the street:

http://www.bmeltd.com/rods.htm

They claim "a couple hundred thousand miles" on a street engine, but emphasize that oil temp is critical:


Engines with BME Aluminum Rods must not be run at high load or high rpm until oil temperature reaches at least 130 deg. F. Lastly, while Red Line and Driven oils lubricate reliably at oil temperatures up to 300 deg. F, the recommended oil temperature for an engine using BME Rods is 160-200? F."

Anyhow, I've never run them (although the 11 hp V-4 pony motor in my '53 John Deere diesel has aluminum rods for 6000 rpm use)... just quoting from the manufacturer's site.

I built a 451 that I personally put 202 passes and 3500 street miles on and the next owner has continued to drive it with no issues. Last time I talked to him he had put another 6500 miles on it. Motor went 10.50's in a 3570lb car when I had it.

Ahhhh....

Sorry,I forgot to mention it is a race only engine.The steel Source rods weigh 745g. and aluminum BME rods weigh 715g. It's correct that I am mostly looking for the shock absorber effect. I will soon be 63, so Icant wait out this aftermarket block thing any longer. I have to work with what is reasonably obtainable.My other biggest concern is if there is enough room in the confines of this low-deck stroker for the larger dimensions of the 6.76, std.Mopar journal aluminum rods.Its a 4.15 stroke.I was hoping someone here may have done this before.
One person asked what intake and rockers will be used. A supervictor intake, and Hughes cryo-treated 1.5 ratio rockers. Thanks all,as all replies are greatly appreciated. Bill

On my engine with steel rods, only clearance needed was a small bit off the oil pump pickup boss, so even if the aluminum rod ends are a bit larger, it should fit with minor clearancing?

There is no low deck Edelbrock super victor intake manifold, just RB block.
I used the INDY 400-2 (4150 flange) but the engine could use more than a 1,000 cfm carb. I also had to deep port match the intake.
Not sure what valve springs or cam you are using, but contact Hughes to make sure their rockers will work on the Max Wedge heads. it was my impression the Intake offset of the Hughes rockers was for the standard port heads?

If you plan to use stiff roller valve springs and more than 0.700" valve lift, you may want to contact T&D or Jesel.

this is my 400 4.250 stroke steel rod 2.20 journal.

Good info thankxxx and I always get to at least 150-160 before I even drive it slightly aggressively............