[ponyakr]

the last 455 i built was the only 1 that had forged rods. i found out they were runnin off another batch of 455 sd rods. it may have been the last batch ever--don't know for sure. some of you guys may know those production dates. seems like i remember buyin a set & keepin em for several years before using em--sorta fuzzy on that. anyhow, all the other 455's i built had stock, cast rods--& i don't ever remember having 1 rebuilt. i do remember always takin several extra rods 2 the machine shop when it was time 2 press on the new pistons. & i remember buying new rod bolts, but can't remember the brand. again, just replaced the stock ones--never had 1 resized--yes, i know that ain't rite, but thats what i did, & got by with it. i tried 2 make 5000 rpm the red line on stock rod 455's, & set the rev limiter at 5500. i guess it worked--never lost a cast rod 455. could have gone quicker with more gear & higher rpms--but that would have been just a waste of $--same class--same purse. "oogene"(a friend i've memtioned) put 4.56 gears in his 68 bird(the 1 i have now) & said he crossed at 6000 rpm with his cast rod 455. i told him he'd better hold his breath when he crossed--but it never blew. i think he got into the hi 11's--i'll ask next time i talk 2 him. i've wondered how the stock class cars are going so fast now with 40 year old cast rods--then found out nhra started allowing aftermarket forged rods some years back. just wonderin--what is the upper limits you guys have heard of--whats the highest rpm you've heard of anybody turning a stock rod 455 & having it thrive & survive? now, we don't have 2 worry about stock rods anymore--there's plenty of cheap chineese rods now. but, again, if you've got the $, buy the best american made stuff money can buy!