The Ford Barn

1stWoody · 02-12-2023, 03:04 PM

I dropped the oil pan on a newly acquired A to check things out and noticed all the connecting rods are blued at the wrist pin. I know rods for racing engines are heat treated but didn't think that would apply to the model A engine.
Is this something to be worried about?

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 02-12-2023, 03:35 PM

Likely the rebuilder did not hone the new bushing(s) to fit the pin to, and just used a rod heater to insert the pin as done in a later model engine.

The issue will be that premature wear will come to the pistons pin bores however I am not sure how long that wear will shorten the life. Maybe 10,000 miles??

Flathead · 02-12-2023, 03:53 PM

Those look like Chevy pistons, may have the pin pressed.

Synchro909 · 02-12-2023, 05:49 PM

What temperature is needed for steel to go blue like that? Has the strength of the rod been compromised?
The OP is probably wanting to know the answers to these questions. So would I in his position before I install that engine.

johnneilson · 02-12-2023, 06:05 PM

Typically blue color is around 550-600 degrees f
It doesn’t change the metal many gm small blocks use this method

J

1stWoody · 02-12-2023, 06:47 PM

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Thanks for the replies, it puts my mind at ease that I don't have to worry about for now.

02-12-2023, 03:35 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,578	Re: Blueing of connecting rod Likely the rebuilder did not hone the new bushing(s) to fit the pin to, and just used a rod heater to insert the pin as done in a later model engine. The issue will be that premature wear will come to the pistons pin bores however I am not sure how long that wear will shorten the life. Maybe 10,000 miles?? __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

02-12-2023, 03:53 PM	#3
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,513	Re: Blueing of connecting rod Those look like Chevy pistons, may have the pin pressed.

02-12-2023, 05:49 PM	#4
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,565	Re: Blueing of connecting rod What temperature is needed for steel to go blue like that? Has the strength of the rod been compromised? The OP is probably wanting to know the answers to these questions. So would I in his position before I install that engine. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

02-12-2023, 06:05 PM	#5
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,068	Re: Blueing of connecting rod Typically blue color is around 550-600 degrees f It doesn’t change the metal many gm small blocks use this method J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

02-12-2023, 06:47 PM	#6
1stWoody Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southwest Ohio Posts: 35	Re: Blueing of connecting rod Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the replies, it puts my mind at ease that I don't have to worry about for now.