Topic: super rods

[kew]

I have a set of super rods in my 836cc engine and I'm about to give it a refresh.
Can I reuse my big end bolts and nuts?
 

[b52bombardier1]

If they are considered "stretch to yield" for a torque value, probably not.

Rick

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

+1 but most people would probably re-use. Probably been torqued at least 3 times already just sizing the bearings (no operational stress).

[cbr954]

I have had my super rods apart 3 times.  The bolt length has returned to the original length everytime so I keep using them no problems.  They are in a 970cc motor right now.  This is just a street motor not raced but it is not babied.  This is just my personal experience.  I wouldnt hesitate to reuse them.

[bear]

No.
It's not good practise to reuse rod bolts.

Cheers,
Brian

[PeWe]

CycleX has optional ARP bolts for sale with these rods.

[livefast_dieold]

what if it's a rumor created by the bolt lobby? So we have to buy expensive bolts each time we open the rods?

[madmtnmotors]

what if it's a rumor created by the bolt lobby? So we have to buy expensive bolts each time we open the rods?

What if you re-use the rod bolts and one of them breaks at 9000+rpm? New bolts are cheap insurance and cheaper to replace before they break... 

[kew]

Thank you all for your replies.
I've never reused big end bolts in the past but these the price of the bloody things these days and the fact that they look so meaty made me think.
Anyway I'll order some new ones.

[dragracer]

Hmm, let me think about this for a minute. I've been retorquing the same rod bolts since 1998 with countless passes shifting at 10,000. Can't recall how many times i  rebuilt it but its over 5 and less than 10. ARP bolts on RC steel rods. I've been lucky I suppose.  Probably won't reuse them on this rebuild though.

[754]

I dont think I would change for the street...racing maybe..

[madmtnmotors]

Hmm, let me think about this for a minute. I've been retorquing the same rod bolts since 1998 with countless passes shifting at 10,000. Can't recall how many times i  rebuilt it but its over 5 and less than 10. ARP bolts on RC steel rods. I've been lucky I suppose.  Probably won't reuse them on this rebuild though.

I would probably reuse ARP rod bolts, but I'm cheap and have been known to throw caution to the wind. When advising a stranger, about parts that are sight unseen, without knowing their history and future use, then advice has to err on the side of caution. I would not want to give anyone advice that could potentially get them hurt (or worse). Other viewers of this thread (both current and future) are likely to take any advice given here to heart. I stand by my advice, that bolts of an unknown history should be replaced. Will reusing the old bolts result in immediate catastrophic failure? Probably not.

[Medyo Bastos]

we all knew what you meant wilbur 

[livefast_dieold]

what if it's a rumor created by the bolt lobby? So we have to buy expensive bolts each time we open the rods?

What if you re-use the rod bolts and one of them breaks at 9000+rpm? New bolts are cheap insurance and cheaper to replace before they break... 

You are one of those shameful lobbyist, aren't you?

[madmtnmotors]

what if it's a rumor created by the bolt lobby? So we have to buy expensive bolts each time we open the rods?

What if you re-use the rod bolts and one of them breaks at 9000+rpm? New bolts are cheap insurance and cheaper to replace before they break... 

You are one of those shameful lobbyist, aren't you?

I was in the staging lanes in Valdosta behind Bill when he oiled down the track using marginal parts. Of course, his issue was with used wrist pins that were "lightweight" (thin wall), but the theory remains the same. Forty-five minutes sitting on my bike in the staging lane while they cleaned oil off the track (I think I dozed off at one point). Fortunately the only damage was to the engine and not to Bill. 

Just erring on the side of caution when giving advice about parts with an unknown history.

[754]

Look at it this way,an engine builder wants to keep a good. Name they will be cautious..
Whereas us lowbuck guys. Have more latitude to cut corners.. Without harming our reputation or ability to take in work..
 Me thinks that rodbolts probably cast as much as used cases and crank ....some of us have lots of spares.
So unless you put a lot of bux into the crank, its less costly to blow up....till it takes out a big sleeve and barrel.
So think and decide..

[dragracer]

I agree with Wilbur on the concept of using the best parts in a customers' engine. I'm particular about my own stuff but even more so about anything else that touches my hands. It kills me to work on something twice.
 
To clarify, yes, i reused my bolts. Would i suggest that others do the same?? No!!!

[livefast_dieold]

I always change them as well! ;-)

After having spent a lot of €€€ on the engine better be safe than sorry

[Bill/BentON Racing]

what if it's a rumor created by the bolt lobby? So we have to buy expensive bolts each time we open the rods?

What if you re-use the rod bolts and one of them breaks at 9000+rpm? New bolts are cheap insurance and cheaper to replace before they break... 

You are one of those shameful lobbyist, aren't you?

I was in the staging lanes in Valdosta behind Bill when he oiled down the track using marginal parts. Of course, his issue was with used wrist pins that were "lightweight" (thin wall), but the theory remains the same. Forty-five minutes sitting on my bike in the staging lane while they cleaned oil off the track (I think I dozed off at one point). Fortunately the only damage was to the engine and not to Bill. 

Just erring on the side of caution when giving advice about parts with an unknown history.

Oh Bill got hurt...just where you don't see it, still hurts always will, a lot of proverbial blood, sweat, and tears and  $ went out that big hole, oh oil too Wilbur,  sorry. I was lucky...it turned out I reused the old pins..after examining the other 3..they were tapered on each end, std for the day in a lot of performance kits. It cost me lot, but I'll be back,  but yall err on the side of caution, my .02.

[754]

So you wont run tapered pins ?
Or you wont run OLD tapered pins ?
Were they extremely thin tapered pins?
Do manufacturers still make tapered pins ?

[madmtnmotors]

Oh Bill got hurt...just where you don't see it, still hurts always will, a lot of proverbial blood, sweat, and tears and  $ went out that big hole, oh oil too

I was feeling your pain that weekend, just glad there were no medical personnel required! 

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Not against tapered pins.....just old ones, LMAO you could still make H/D tapered ones. Next ones are going be JE's for 12.5 to 1 and Arias 12.5 to 1 designed in 1999. We'll see what they send. I'm building something, lol,  Bill