Thread: 454 Rod Question

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Hello Guys

After raising four sons (and all of the cost involved) I am getting back into the game after a period of 30 years.

Back then I raced a mean 57 Belair 2 dr sedan with a 427 (rectanguar small chamber heads, solid cam/lifters, 11:1 forged pistons, Tarantula intake with Holley 850 dbl pumper, M22 Rockcrusher with '57 Olds 4.11 rear.

I bought that old Chevy as a prior Gasser from Alabama - it didn't have an engine, but it came with a box of 7 old Jahns 301cu pistons on pink rods that told the sad story.

The engine went down the road when money got tight, and the Chevy left shortly after son#4 was born.

I'm gathering parts for the newest version of my past - it will be either a 55 2dr sed or a 57 2dr sedan. I have (2) 454 2 bolt engines - both Mark IVs. Both have cast cranks, and factory 3/8 thumb rods.

I want to build a replica of my old big block, only bigger - solids, 11:1 forged pistons, Old Torker intake. I have 3 sets of 781 heads, so I am thinking of running these instead of rectangulars, with 2.25/1.88 valves.

I've been looking for a good GM forged crank, but they are few & far between with a 4 inch stroke. I don't want to go with a chinese crank - I've heard they are a balancer's nightmare.

I ran dimple rods back then in my 427 - are these the hot set-up for GM rods currently? Or should I stick with the stock 3/8 rods & use ARP rod bolts?

Thanks for your help guys!

the 3/8 truck rods work ok but by the time you rebuild them there is other ways to go .i re build stock thumb rods can take a lot with ARP bolts and still use them in mild builds. a cast gm crank and two bolt block can take alot been there i done it many times its just all about the $$ you have to spend .the scats balance nice i build the 496 s with the scat s steel and cast steel comp star stuff is nice as well . i have a 427 060 over fresh machine work and alot of new parts. steel gm crank new 7/16 scat rods trw pistons new Erson hyd roller cam 4/7 swap roller cam big Oport heads 2.19 /188 valves with new Crane gold roller rockers i will have to let go soon