Last motor I had the machine work done by King Balance. The motor lasted 4 years. Thats where I'll have the next one done. Thanks for the offer NoGo. I bought a 302 from a friend. Low milage, stock bore, complete for $150. So I got a good start. Saving my money for the Finals in Vegas. I'm taking the Sprint. Kick ass with a Maverick. Then i'll start working on the race car. Thats guys for all the suport. Makes me feel much better.
Robbie, I email'd ARP and gave them a link to this thread.........I emailed them over the weekend and they replied today. I will not publish their answer as there was a WARNING sentence I didn't care for...............but I was impressed they got back to me that quickly. First, do you have any pictures of the rod in question.....in pieces or together? The person that email'd me back was Sam Benson, Quality and Customer Service Supervisor...............and he did say that he was not aware of SBF rod bolt problem and that he would like to see the pieces that failed, so.....I know your machine shop has dismantled the motor, but if the machinest is still saying that this is ARP's problem why not send the pieces to this Sam Benson and hear what he has to say. Just a suggestion......and if your machinest doesn't want to do this they I would say maybe he has more blame than he wants to let on......Are you sure they were new ARP rod bolts?.....................................IMHO
Yeah, I dont believe that your motor blew up because of ARP bolts, I have been using arp stuff for years, and a very well know engine builder, Bub Whitakker, in Maryland who does alot of Ford, Pontiac, Mopar and Chevrolet NHRA stocker motors gets all the eagle rods with the arp bolts. My brother runs a NHRA stock eliminator car, and I havent heard anything about arp conn rod bolt problems. motor builders have an exuse book as big as anyones, and the crappy engine builders live by that book. I ran 5/16th bolt stock rods with aftermarket bolts and bushed ends for years to 7500 and never had a problem so I think 6000 is being way too careful, the motor only has a 3" stroke, it aint gonna blow with good machine work, good balancing, and good components. Duane
Man, like everyone else I'm sorry to hear this Robbie. Hang in there though, Vegas will make it all worth while! If there is anything I can do to help you out Robbie just let me know!
Coolvettes, He was not using me as a "Third Party" as you suggest! I had sent him an email telling him I was going to be buying new rod bolts and head studs for my ole 408 and wanted to make sure this was not a manufacturing issue.....then I forwarded a link to this thread........so if you want to know why he didn't join this site/thread call him up and ask him yourself! The number is 800-826-3045...................
I just told him to toss it all in the trash so its all in the bin out back (so to speak). I feel he just screwed me and wont own up to it. I will do my best to make sure that know one I know will get work done there. we have a few real good shops here in town so he's not the only game.
Sorry to say, that is most likely the case. Especially with the "nutless" bolts in the pan. It's possible the mechanic's torque wrench was not set right or out of calibration. If I suspected the fastener, it would have been sent back to ARP for an "autopsy". I've never had an ARP fastener fail in anything...
your torque wrench has to be off ALOT to have the nuts come off, they only torque 18-24 lbs, you could put them on with a ratchet and they would last longer than 4 runs. sounds like a big SNAFU that guy did assembling that motor. sorry you got beat by a bad engine builder, luckily, I build all my own stuff, but you are not alone. Duane
I have built (on the average) one modular shortblock or longblock per month for the last year and a half. NEVER had a single failure with ARP components on these engines. These are not mild setups either....lowest hp setup on one of my shortblocks has been around 650 hp with the best one over 1100 hp. ARP is not having problems with their components for modular engines. If a stud pulls out on a modular engine it is simply because they didn't tap the hole first or the stud area is cracked. Really? Seriously? I like this site well enough but do you think every CS Supervisor in the aftermarket can and should join every single message board on the planet everytime someone has a complaint about the product they represent? Think about that for a few minutes then let me know. Yup. I've been known to be hard on parts in my race/street cars but I've never taken one apart and found a rod bolt with no nut on the damn thing. I've also never broken a rod bolt of any kind.
I am no serious engine builder "per say", but if there was rod nuts in the pan, thats not ARP's problem. So the real issue is did the builder do his job right? answer, NO! armed with that info and as everyone worth there salt should honor the build and redo it. If he does not, i think robie should smear this shop and see to it that he never has the chance to screw anyone else!
