Was reading in the Wiki info the W-43 rods were specd as SAE-1140 forged steel. Does anyone know what steel production rods were made of, of any year? Think I can find a rods and crank steel spec for early V-8 but not late.

As a side note, I can testify 1970 455 rods polish beautifully. I polished (at great effort) side beams on a set for my own engine and they had a mirror shine and appearance like vanadium steel. CW

 

Factory Olds connecting rods were forged from butter.

You might want to search ROP. I vaguely recall this topic over there a year or two ago.

 

Weren't these what they called 'Arma Steel'? I know Pontiacs were but not sure what Olds did or what the specs are.