Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
#763222
08/02/10 01:23 AM
08/02/10 01:23 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 294
Minnesota
RockChip
OP
enthusiast
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OP
enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 294
Minnesota
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I was chattin with a friend and he mentiond that your not suppose to let your aluminum rodded engine sit out in the winter time.  What is the reson for this,? is the cold weather mess them up, is it bad for the bolts. Reason I am wondering is that I have a brand X with a set of BME rods in it that sat outside for the winter.
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: RockChip]
#763223
08/02/10 01:30 AM
08/02/10 01:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 637
Kokomo,IN
StripeHOG
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 637
Kokomo,IN
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I doubt thats true!!!! a lot of 4 cylinders have aluminum rod's and they're just fine!!! I know you wouldn't want to go out and rev-it up cold but thats just common sense
Andrew Brough D372
1969 Dodge Dart GTS
1.43 60'best
6.82 1/8 98mph
"the light came on and I ran out of talent"
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#763227
08/02/10 03:05 PM
08/02/10 03:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
camastomcat
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
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Quote:
Quote:
Bill Miller does not like the bolts torqued for long periods of time just sitting. He likes them un-torqued. 
He doesn't say why. But I'm sure if you call them they will tell you what I've just said. Because HE told me this himself... But didn't elaborate.. 
Chris.. 
 I was told the same thing by Bill a long time ago when he worked at Ansen. I would think the expansion rate of aluminum (8 times more than steel )versus the steel bolts may have a lot to do with that thinking
I've heard this too and have been running aluminum rods for 10 years. I think the main problem with them is when people start motors with steel or aluminum, and rev them cold. I never turn my stuff over in the winter because of the cold clearences. JMO, but never had a problem with aluminum rods, just $1470 Oliver steel rods.
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: RockChip]
#763229
08/02/10 10:44 PM
08/02/10 10:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,616
Kissimmee Fl.
dusturbd340W5
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,616
Kissimmee Fl.
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so you never run your cars in the winter
70 duster full chassis super pro 416 CNC Indybrock heads 727 w/brake
best so far 1.212 60 6.219 in 1/8 at 110.88 9.768 at 137.81 1/4
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: RockChip]
#763231
08/02/10 11:05 PM
08/02/10 11:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,091
Delray beach, Florida
Performance Only
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top fuel
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,091
Delray beach, Florida
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the only aluminum rods i've ever seen a cold weather problem with were from BME.
more than one rod had cracked around the bolt because of northern winter temp's.
i'm sticking with GRP rods for my customers engines.
machine shop owner and engine builder
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: RockChip]
#763234
08/03/10 08:49 AM
08/03/10 08:49 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
camastomcat
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top fuel
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,128
Salt Lake City
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For me gas-methonol rehab takes place in Las Vegas, but racing here ends in late September and doesn't start until April. Vegas ends at the Thanksgiving race and starts again in Jan. I used to live in LA where we raced all year, but then again I had to mlive in LA, too crowded. But on the topic of aluminum rods, I love em. IMO they are alot easier on the bottom end, make faster power, and are more forgiving according to many to over reving. You just need to remember the tight clearance when they are cold, and I like the GRP's too. There are alot of reputable aluminum rod manufacturers that make quality rods with better materials than in the 70's and 80's. Again, JMO.
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: Performance Only]
#763235
08/03/10 10:34 AM
08/03/10 10:34 AM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,675
Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
roadhazard
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master
Joined: Apr 2006
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Akron, Ohio U.S.A.
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Quote:
the only aluminum rods i've ever seen a cold weather problem with were from BME.
more than one rod had cracked around the bolt because of northern winter temp's.
i'm sticking with GRP rods for my customers engines.
 I'm afraid to start my motor now 
Never heard of backing the rod bolts off in the winter 
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: camastomcat]
#763237
08/03/10 05:07 PM
08/03/10 05:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,695
nc
emarine01
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,695
nc
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Re: Aluminum Rods = Winter ????
[Re: emarine01]
#763239
08/03/10 08:34 PM
08/03/10 08:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,865
MI, usa
dvw
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master
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MI, usa
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Quote:
I have been running BMEs for a few years so this whole remove the rod thing was starting to bug me  Spoke to a BME tech guy and he explained the reasons...... If you let the rods sit for like 3 mo or more there is a corrosive action between the materials and fluids that collect in the bolt threads, then on start up it can stress crack the rod  But.... if you a start up every so often, < couple times a mo> then you don't have to worry 
My motor has been sitting 5 years so I had some concerns as well. So I spoke to Bill Miller himself about this a couple of months ago. He said the cracks could be caused by corrosion. He said with a visual inspection they will either be cracked or good,no in between. He also stated that he had seen motors run in this condition with out failure.
Doug
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