I happen to run across an ebay auction that is listing new, aftermarket 4340 steel 6" I beam connecting rods for 307-403 engines:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLDSMOBILE-3...39ad9d&vxp=mtr

The seller has a low number of feedback, which has me a touch worried, but seems the website has been up for some time.

http://www.oldsrocketparts.com/produ...eam-race-rods/

Does anyone have info regarding this seller or the rods?

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Don't know if this helps but

I asked:

Dear oldsrocketparts,

are these eagle rods? thank you


Response:

NO, THESE ARE HIGH PERFORMANCE ULTRALITE .


- oldsrocketparts

 

Hm. I will try to look that up, but I'm not familiar with them.

I shot an email too, am waiting for a reply....

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Fontana, CA No idea.......

 

they LOOK like Pro Comps

 

I'll bet they are.
Mondello in Ca has spear headed a bunch of projects with Procomp. The heads, soon to be water pumps, and supposedly stroker cranks for the small block. I guess these rods are another addition.

 

If they fit with no extra work, that is a huge bonus. Is there a reasonable price floating pin for Olds? I assume if it is the same size as the Probe or CP, they would work. Reasonable price for a decent rod.

 

Almost all the performance pistons for sbo will accommodate a floating pin.
You're right, good news for all.

 

Imagine that ,someone else actually thinks that the SBO deserves a drop in stroker crank. We can only hope that .....
1.these products come to market within a reasonable amount of time
2.they're affordable for the average guy
3.they're quality pcs.

 

Everything else on that site is from procomp.

 

The big block intake they sell looks to be a re-cast of the Mondello Posi-Flo with added fuel injector bosses. Mondello's intake was actually an Offy Port-O-Sonic without the Offenhauser cast-in lettering.

 

I'm in the market for a set of OE style rods, wish I had more info on these. I did email, but have yet to get a response.

The concerns I have is that the face of the big ends have a shoulder, as if it was made for a steep radius/fillet, which to my knowledge Olds doesn't have. It looks like it would require a special chamfered rod bearing.

Maybe the pics aren't accurate, and are just a on-hand photo of like a chebby rod or something.

Think I will try calling today, see what's up. The low feedback is still bugging me some.

For $400, it's almost worth just getting a set to do a closer inspection.

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Allegedly Lynn Wilfringer, Mondello Performance Products:

http://realoldspower.prophpbb.com/topic2531.html

 

I should be worried? I will have these checked out thoroughly, and obviously, I pulled the trigger.

Have another thread going over at ROP:

http://realoldspower.prophpbb.com/post22589.html#p22589

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I purchased these rods as well. Matching them with Probe pistons. I'll let you know how mine turns out. What was the conclusion on yours? Have you installed them and up & running?

 

I think he sent them back.

 

Sorry for not closing the loop on this thread, I had threads on multiple Olds sites, and guess overlooked this one.

True, I sent them back, they didn't pass a visual inspection. They were not new, had damage from poor packaging and/or handling, the side clearance measurements were all over the place, as well as the small end dimensions. They were sand/media blasted until there was no marking left on the bolts, and the mating surfaces would require at minimum a touch up.

I have pics showing all this and more detailed info on the other threads.

In other words, they were not new, not as advertised, not OE specs, and not going in my engine. I sent them back.

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Where did you get rings for the Probe pistons? 1/16, 1/16, 3/16 floating?

 

Use Hastings #43M5525. You'll have to do a "file fit" by removing approximately 0.016 but this is the best way to get perfect fit. Mine turned out awesome.

 

Sounds like they were rejects. Anything is possible with Lynn.

 

I couldn't find that part number for the Hastings, but I do like Hastings rings.

I picked a Total Seal Conventional Classic Race (CR) set for the clone/Olds/Probes, felt it was the best choice. I did file fit, but the sets already sized are fine too, even if you want to run 150hp or less of spray.

I think the part number I used is CR3690-95, but don't quote me on that, I'm pulling that straight from memory, and my memory isn't that good these days. If you want, I can dig up the part number.

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They weren't going in my engine, that I know.

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I bought a set of those 4340 forged rods from oldsrocketparts.com, also picked up a set of heads from them too, they should be here in the next couple of days. Staying optimistic... also bought the floating Probe 4.087's and a set of file-to-fit Total Seal plasma-moly rings. I've got a virgin 330 crank, taking it in and going .010/.010. Again, staying optimistic...hoping to build an "arguably" bullet proof short block. If these rods don't work out, I'm going with the Chevy rod setup.
1780908_736871326325831_1712948436_n_zpsfffc96e3.jpg

 

I bought those rods from oldsrocketparts.com. The small ends were within spec without needing new bushings. However, they will need to be balanced and definitely DON'T use the bolts they come with. Toss 'em right in the garbage and get ARP bolts. I also used Probe pistons, a Comp Cams hydraulic roller cam, totally reworked the stock #6 heads with bigger valves and had them ported. Considered going with Chevy rods but you'll have to have extensive work done to the crank. Unless you can find someone who will GUARANTEE the crank work . . . be careful.

 

 

Thanks for the info. folks. The rods and heads are in. Mic'd the rods, all 8 are .979 & 2.249 respectively and true. Really nice "looking" rods. The heads are just as nice. The heads were well packaged, the rods weren't. The rods were in individual small bubble wrap bags and all were loose in a USPS box with what appeared to be hand torn cardboard dividers, that at the point of delivery served no purpose. Next stop, the machine shop. Having them look everything over. Probe pistons are about 2-weeks out, back ordered.
ecf4ae4b-5d8c-4be6-b71a-21466a3a960a_zpsf7cc2824.jpg

bf47b452-72af-43b1-8796-d6aee9c50959_zps1ca23775.jpg


3881e871-441f-4071-9174-d8f99d152dc2_zps83640e43.jpg

 

Check the big end widths. Are there knicks all over the big ends? And the bolts look the same as the ones I had, check to see if there's manufacturer markings or if they're bead blasted off. Is that rust on the bolts?

Did you use a caliper mic, or a bore gauge? If a bore gauge, then you should take readings across the face of the bearing surface, to check for taper.

I swear those look like the same set I had. I wonder if they keep getting returned and re-sold.

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There are a few small nicks from where they were improperly packed.The widths on the big ends are .928 within maybe .001. The bolts are stamped 8640 (190,000 PSI) ARP 8740 rod bolts are 200,000 PSI. They aren't perfect, but they're close IMO. I'm using them, The options are very little, and I'd rather not cut up my crank for Chevy rods if I don't have to.

Happy Hot Roddin'

 

The set I had were all over the place, some were down as far as .923 width on the big end. You probably should at minimum replace the bolts.

I'd be curious as to what your machine shop says about them, please post once you hear from them.

Here's the thread from ROP on my set:

http://realoldspower.prophpbb.com/topic2418-30.html

Can look at some of the pics, like I said, I think they are the same set, and people keep returning them. Certainly not new, which is how they were advertised.

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Glad you had good results. I contacted them twice, asking questions and all I got was an attitude and then no response. If they check out at the machine shop, he may sell another set real soon.