The rods are hitting the very top of a cam lobe in 2 places. What can I do to remedy this situation? I took some 320 grit paper to one of the rods and knocked down the endge where it is hitting and I think I can get it to clear with minimul work. I dont think there will be enough metal removed to affect balance at all. Fortunately the oter one I will have to clearance is on the opposite side so they may ballance to 0 anyways. How much clearance should there be between the rods and the cam? The area that they contact is so very small (fractions of a mm). It's SO frustrating!

If you are building a 383 you have to grind clearance on the side of the rod the the cam is on. If you want I have a set of 5.7 rods out of a 400 sbc that I could post a picture of. I am not sure what the required clearance is.Give us a few more details .

Rob

Formula78
You need a min of .060 clearance between rod and cam lobe. You may be able to obtain the clearance depending on the rods youre using or you may need to go to a small base circle cam.
Bob

I had a similar issue when I built my 383. Turns out I turned the crankshaft before installing the timing chain!
I guess this left the top of a lobe where it shouldn't be. After putting the chain on, the problem went away.
Who knew?? This was the first 383 sbc I ever built. My thing was always big block Mopars!

If it is a small block chevy... Could have used the eagle h beam 3D rods.. I had over 1/8" clearance with these rods and a .595 lift cam. ( .371" lobe lift)

I used SCAT 6" forged rods and an HM270HR cam. This is the retrofit small base circle cam. I'm going to have to grind on the rods a bit to get them to clear. They are CLOSE, but not quite! There is pleanty of metal to take out if that protion of the rod.