end,
For your use and budget, I would buy a set of either Eagle or Scat I beam rods. Just make sure to have your machine shop check the big end for size and roundness, about 1 out of every ten sets might not be quite right. They can be had for less than $290 I think I sell the Scat ones for right around $280. They have 7/16" ARP cap screws and will last forever in a 427.

The H beams would be a good choice if you plan on any additional upgrades at a later time.

Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

Hey Mike,
Who is balancing your rotating assm. You'll be fine with a set of GM 7/16 rods with ARP's. Unless you have a good source on the Manleys. The Manleys wouild work well and would probably be a little more insurance but I think you'll be fine. I ran one of my old boats with the 3/8 rods with ARP's and a good balance job. Ran it hard all the time and never threw a rod. Be sure and check all your clearances.

You may want to back that 3 minutes down to about 2 1/2 minutes, LOL... or at the very least be sure I am somewhere within a towable distance. I am a terrible one on giving advise to get out of the pins though. I run everything hard. Pull it down and go through everything at the very least every other season. Bearing are cheap.

John-
Everything was already balanced from A Team Speed shop in Tinley Park, IL... I was talking to an engine builder last night and he told me in no way run my rods at 6100. He said they are strong but to heavy for that RPM. He suggested the manleys. I found a set for $505.00 which is a good deal, but on the same hand $280 for the scats I like even more. I'm just not sure about chinese rods? It just stinks because now everything will need to be rebalanced. Any suggestions on who to rebalance the assembly around here?

I would find out how many grams each manley and scats weigh and go from there. More Power Racing would be a great place who could help you out on the balancing. They know me well there. Perhaps you could take a little weight off the scats to measure up the same weight. Not for sure on that. Just curious how close the GM 3/8 and the others are in weight. More Power is on M-37 just north of GR near 9 mile rd.

I'm not really a jap man so the more I think about it you might want to pay the 225.00. I don't know if there steel is any better or worse to be perfectly honest. I do know there are a lot of those rods running around out there though.

I hate to say this, but I was searching on some of the "hotrod" sites and there was several guys claiming that manley lower priced rods are chinese slugs with the machining done here which is what scat also does. I do know that eagle rods are junk, but it seems that the scat are good as long as you have them inspected. I would do that with the manley though as well. Seems like the APR 2000 caps are the way to go with either.

Fixx
 

one thing to consider,are your pistons full float or press fit?
if their press fit and your looking to go to a h beam style rod your going to have to replace your pistons to floating...

check out k1 rods,their made by carrillo

http://www.flatlanderracing.com/K1-rods.html

Go figure. It seems like I read something like that as well. It was an article having to do with Ohio Steel. As long as you have it balanced by a reputable machine shop and feel confident with your build I wouldn't worry about the rods letting go. 6000 to 6500 R's still are not real high. Considering your using a 4 bolt main block and steel crank. Many old timers use to run BBC's over 7000 and that was using GM rods. I realize us boaters put engines to the test with the constant load and hi rpms but...

If you can run a 454/330 for endless miles WFO and have no problems at 4900 you'll be fine. I ran scat rods in my 496's and plan to run them about 5800. I'm more concerned about my drives than anything.

Keep in touch and if you need anything while your up north just email me or call. Where are you putting your engine together? Word around the campfire is, Hugh Rollins (well guy) was wondering what in the hell was running over here near the golf course recently... Can't wait to run the boat next summer.

The K1 rods look like a great deal. I may go with those.

Thats funny- I'm sure old Hughey was wondering what was going on. FYI stay clear of the well truck, no brakes on that thing.

As for the motor, I think I'm going to put it together at my brothers, he has everything I need except for the tool to measure the push rod length... I'm going to be up here a lot this winter. So if your going to fire the boat up agian let me know. I'd like to hear that thing run.