H-beam vs I-beam , whats the diff?

 

In my opinion the H beam design is stronger if the material they are made from are equal. I am in no way an expert on such things but I feel the parallel beams (like the H beams) should follow the rotation of the engine. There are guys better able to answer that here and I am interested in there thought on this also.

 

You can go to any of the manufacturers websites (Eagle, Scat, K1) and they explain it fairly well. You'll get all kind of opinions here. Go to the websites and get the facts from the companies that make them.

 

K thx

 

As an aerospace structures engineer, I'll say that the I-beam is STIFFER (not stronger) than the H-beam in the direction of primary bending. That's the direction at 90 degrees to the piston pin. I'm convinced, however, that the H-beam is the better overall design due to the transition of the beam to the big end. By the time you add the features for rod bolts, the flange of the H-beam provides a much better load path transition to the rod bearing. The shape of the flange also better serves to keep the bearing round. Finally, by having the H-beam flange flare out on either side of the rod bolts (rather than having the I-beam flange run directly into the rod bolt), stresses are distributed in a much better way.

Considering all these variables, I have to say the H-beam is the better design in theory. Naturally, a lot can be lost in translating theory to practice.

 

Either is better and lighter than anything factory from Olds. Unfortunately there is only one supposed direct repacement for the SBO. Supposedly the width was too narrow, when measured. Using sbc rods is another option but needs crank work.