The Ford Barn

Ron_r1959 · 07-29-2024, 07:34 AM

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.

Ol' Ron · 07-29-2024, 10:35 AM

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

itslow · 07-29-2024, 11:31 AM

Why are you using aluminum connecting rods?

tubman · 07-29-2024, 11:47 AM

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".

Ron_r1959 · 07-30-2024, 05:28 AM

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?

STEVE O · 07-30-2024, 06:10 AM

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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!

cadillac512 · 07-30-2024, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron_r1959

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?

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

07-29-2024, 07:34 AM	#1
Ron_r1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 103	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.

07-29-2024, 10:35 AM	#2
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,985	Re: piston clearance Not me, never ran them. Too expensive, but you have a good point. Don't forget the .050" head gasket. Gramps

07-29-2024, 11:31 AM	#3
itslow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 773	Re: piston clearance Why are you using aluminum connecting rods? __________________ Mike Wanted: - '32-34 Open Cab Pickup (RPU) parts and documents/articles/info - ARDUN parts

07-29-2024, 11:47 AM	#4
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 11,638	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".

07-30-2024, 05:28 AM	#5
Ron_r1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 103	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?

07-30-2024, 06:10 AM	#6
STEVE O Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: QUICKSBURG VA Posts: 735	Re: piston clearance Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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!