piston clearance
 

I am getting ready to mill a set of Canadian aluminum heads for my stroker motor . M y intent is to check the clearance and then take it down to the recommended .045 piston to head clearance that I have read about on here as being good for performance, my question is do you think that .045 total piston to head clearance is still good for aluminum rods considering they may stretch more? It occurred to me that the recommended clearance may have been used with ford rods instead of aluminum rods. Has anyone did it with aluminum rods? This may be a good question for ol Ron, Bored and stroked or Ronnie roadster.

Re: piston clearance
 

Not me, never ran them. Too expensive, but you have a good point. Don't forget the .050" head gasket.
Gramps

Re: piston clearance
 

Why are you using aluminum connecting rods?

Re: piston clearance
 

When I thought about it, I realized that I have never heard of aluminum flathead connecting rods. Just out of curiosity, who makes them? Like "Ol' Ron" says. "You learn sumpin' every day".

Re: piston clearance
 

Well after you said that I went back and checked and found they are forged steel h beam Rods, so It seems I had a Senior moment LOL Its been two years since I built the motor, not sure where I got the idea they were aluminum, LOL
So to be clear I am looking for .045-.050 total clearance between the piston and head including the head gasket correct?

Re: piston clearance
 

Hi, I'm sure there are exceptions, but I bought a set of aluminum rods for my olds 303 (I was so happy) and my nephew who builds racing engines told me they are no good for street driving, more so just for drag racing. Go figure!

Re: piston clearance
 

Correct. Mine's at .040 or just below.