BritishV8 Forum

Larry, Here's another rod that will work. 80-81 265 and 77-81 301 Pontiac. Same bearing as 215 and 300. Same pin as 305 Chevy. 6.051 long. Cast Armasteel like the Buick rods. You can get ARP bolts, magnaflux, resize, polish and bead blast. I've never had a problem with cast rods unless you are turning 7000 RPM or have over 500 HP. Probably around same strength as 300 rods.

You mentioned the 301 Pontiac rod. I discovered a box of them at the shop today. New, in the package, GM rods.  For the Buick people, we have some 350 Buick crate motors. New in the GM crates that got lost in the warehouse at some point. If anyone has any interest, we can probably sell them at a really good price.

Larry, The 301 rods big end is perfect even uses the Buick/Rover bearing. The small end uses the Chevy pin same as 305. The only problem it is .050 longer so you need a shorter pin height piston than the 305. 3300 Buick V6 may work if you bush the rod or bore the piston if there is enough meat there. There may be Dodge/Chrysler ones that  could work also.

Larry M., I suggest listing those sbb crate motors with "V8Buick" site. They have a loyal 350 following.

Larry, What would be the price for 8 301 rods? They are the perfect length if used with a Buick 350 crank in 300 block with 305 Chevy .040 pistons

Jim, I will get you a price on a set of rods shipped to Wa. I think I am going to use a set in my engine also. I should be able to adjust stacked length by working with the piston dome.

Larry, I'm thinking for Chris's 300 stroker in B.C. if he can't find the 350 Buick capscrew rods. Build is on the other board, Mgexperience. You wouldn't have 8 of those laying around would you?

Jim, how about $120 + shipping? (Set of eight)

Larry, Thanks. Looks like 2.3 Ford HSC flattop piston(3.68 stock bore) has .050 lower pin height than 305. Stil would have to change pin fit.

Big end of 301 rod is wider than 215, but not as wide as sbc.

Larry,I assumed would be very close, use the same Buick/Rover rod bearing. How much wider? Don't forget to add the crank clearance chamfer.

Jim, I forgot to measure the 301 big end. Something is somewhat troubling about these rods. They really have a bad reputation with the Fiero people. (Same rod as the 2.5L Iron Duke engine.)  Has anyone heard of problems with these rods in the Pontiac turbo engine?

I didn't know they were the same as the 4 cylinder rod. I wonder if the bad rep there might be NOS or extreme turbo boost.

Jim, 300 Buick rod b.e. .843, 301 Pontiac b.e. .899.

Larry,Thanks. Did you get a 4.0 block to look at?

No 4.0 yet.

Larry, There appeared to be a problem with the narrow beam on those rods, the 87 and later 2.5 ones would be better as they don't neck down.  I wonder if the Turbo 301 used the thicker beam rods before they came out later for the 87 and up 2.5.

Thanks for all the good information and help on the rods. Decided that with all the time and money involved that I would take the safest route. SBC 6" H-beam rods for $210 shipped.

Chinese win again , perhaps it's best ?

The Chinese make things to order for American businessmen. What does that tell you?

Rods look good. Bolts are 7/16 8640. Weight is +- 2 g.