5.565 vs 5.700 rods in SBC305 ?

[wbud]

Found in my shop sbc 305, when I checked rod length it was 5.565 instead of 5.700 as listed in manual. Casting number on the block is 14010203 - 80-85' 305 cid 2 bolts.
Is it trick with big block rods and specific pistons (for what?) or should I get stock 5.700 rods, bore block and install stock pistons and forgot about this strange short rods?

Never saw this setup before...Really cant fugure history of this engine.

[firebird77clone]

I'd be curious to check the crank first. Maybe you'll find the throw is .1 long.

[glennsexton]

To the best of my knowledge, the SB 400 is the only stock application that used these rods. As mentioned above, maybe you have a different crank and clearance was an issue? I can't think of any reason to put these rods in a stock 305.

[jerry clayton]

If you ground down the mains on a 400 engine to fit the 305 block you would use the 400 rods (6.565 ) and stock 305 pistons