Rod side clearance

[anthracitedub]

Im building s stroker 40.... I took my rods to work and used the surface grinder to remove material from both sides of the big ends. I ended up with rods that are < 0.900 inch wide.

I thought that I messed up and would have a ton of side clearance.
With the rods mocked up on the crank, I'm only getting .006 side clearance.

Is this way to tight? Should I regrind the rods about .003?
Or can I proceed with .006, my buddy at work said it would be fine at .006 and I would have better oil pressure.

[modok]

hmmm, well
usually set the side clearance at .012" min for high performance stuff, there does not seem to be any drawback and it allows plenty of float room for the crank and case to flex without putting side load on the piston (they do flex)

Oil pressure is a function of the oil clearance, not the side clearance

[anthracitedub]

I guess I'll take a little step back and give'em another scrub.... Try to get'em into .010. I have a graded true stone that I may try laying a piece of 320 paper on, with a little oil... I may be able to hand-hone them into shape.

[modok]

that should be good
make sure they are square, the sides don't have to be perfect but they need to be darn close

[stealth67vw]

Are 40 horse rods wider than 15/1600 rods? 15/1600 come in at .895" and most aftermarket Chinese rods I've measured can be in the .885" range.
_________________
John Bates
JB Machining Services
1967 street Bug 2276 w/ 48 IDAs, 2020lbs with driver
7.76 @ 89.55mph 1/8 mile
12.34 and 108.10 mph 1/4 mile

[modok]

yes
In later engines they narrowed the rods and journal width, to make the crank's web between the two rod journals thicker and stronger