302 Rods in a 351 - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

xacoupe · 05-01-2003, 02:05

We all know that 6 inch 302 rods are a good thing in our 351's, but has anyone done a back to back dyno to prove the theory??? In this day and age of dynos around every corner I am hoping that someone has done it.
Not a rebuild in between, but a fresh motor with no differences other than that (and obviously the pistons)

smciner1 · 05-01-2003, 05:04

Don't know of any Dyno comparisons, but Physics tells you that it is much more efficient.

xacoupe · 05-01-2003, 15:17

physics may tell you that but is there any practical difference?? If we spend lots of extra $$ for 5 ft lbs of torque or 5 Hp is it really worth it is where I am going with this..

brenx · 05-01-2003, 16:30

Hi Jeff,

Yes it's been tested and proven but not really for torque purposes.

351 rod's are good to 7000rpm.
302 rod's are good to 7500rpm due to the better angle.

500rpm safely could come in handy.

Most people use 302 rod's for this reason not torque.

Brenden

bdave351 · 05-01-2003, 17:39

why use 302 rods XA when you can go the whole hog?

Use 6inch chevy rods as you can get some really good ones cheap (ie h beam lunati for 1000 or eagle for 850).

I did it and have no regrets. (a little shame maybe but no regrets!)

ebxr8240 · 05-01-2003, 17:59

Moffat or Ford did that back in the old days. That was why the privaters couldn't match them for power or more so torque...

bdave351::: I guess the Chevy rod journal is smaller dia so the crank can be offset to allow some stroking too ha?

xacoupe · 05-02-2003, 00:05

that's the first I have heard about 302 rods being used for extra revs...
I can tell you from experience that standard 351 rods can take revs well past 7000 if prepped properly.

dave.. is the shame worth it is always the problem !

brenx · 05-02-2003, 01:52

Quote:

Originally posted by xa-coupe
that's the first I have heard about 302 rods being used for extra revs...
I can tell you from experience that standard 351 rods can take revs well past 7000 if prepped properly.

dave.. is the shame worth it is always the problem !

Well aware that a well prepped 351 rod running 351 will go past 7000. I run 351 rods. My engine has seen 8500rpm. Dyno operators are fearless. Least I know the bottomend is strong because it saw 8500 more than once.

Brenden

bdave351 · 05-02-2003, 07:34

eb - yeah its a real tragic thing about the chev rods and offset crank grinding for the classic 378 cube clevo combos........

(hangs head at being proud of his chev parts in a ford..... wonders if this is how all holden people with 9inches feel)