Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific - connecting rod question

Is it true you can hone a pressed pin rod for use with full floating pistons? If so, how do they survive w/o being bushed?
BTW,they are forged '93' LT1 rods. thanks, James

I did it on a early set of smallblock rods,don't know about late model but don't see why it would be any different? worked fine no problems my .02......

Cool thanks, has anyone else done this w/success also? I'm tryin to figure my budget on my rotating assembly,i can afford 355 but i want 396! I already have new SRP 4.030 pistons and if i reuse theese rods this helps but.... I MUST HAVE MORE CUBES! Hey! anyone need new pistons? LOL.

Unless you are able to do the work yourself. you wont be that much under a set of eagle rods price wise. The rods do not have to be floating.You can use alot of "floating piston" with a pressed rod, then you dont use the locks.

if your on a tight budget the press fit pin will be just fine. what you can do yourself is grind and polish the side beams you know the little ridge on the side of the rod. ive done this lots of times and it really makes the rod alot stronger

Are the pistons compression height for a 396 or a 355? If you are wanting to build the same type of 396's S.B.C.'s that I have dealt with, you have to off-set grind the rod journals. What you end up with is a 2.000" rod journal instead of the 2.100" late model size. This size is common in the Cup world and you can pick up some nice used rods that are top shelf brands for around the same price as a new set of China rods. Some people freak out about 500 miles of use so new is better for them. I myself freak out at $1,000+ new rods and questionable China rods so the used $1,000+ rods work for me, so you decide. The real issue that you need to look at should be the stroke and compression height of your pistons. B.T.W. I too have used stock rods with floating pins in the past after honing the pin end with good results; but they were for a B.B.C. I would definitly find someone who has been there done that on the P.M. rods before you light the fuse on a 396 buget built bomb.

Well, isn't your horsepower level more of an issue?

They're are tons of good rods available today. If you want cubes, keep it simple, build a 383, and parts are plentiful, and can be quite cheap. I've seen complete rotating & engine kits good to 500 horse for around 1500-1700 dollars.