[gtofreek]

Originally Posted by taff2

Mark,I've got a '59 block mounted starter you're welcome to,I think the shipping might cost you a bit though! What make are those ali rods? The reason I ask is that I used Brooks B2 (BBC) ali rods and had to lightly notch my '59 block at the strengthening rib and base of the bores for clearance. Paul cryo'd the rods for me by the way,before shipping them over.
Paul,I do the same mod to the thrust bearing as you do but only Scotchbrite the backs of the bearing shells,I also fitted longer dowels for the main caps,nice clean work you do.

Thanks! I'm not sure what brand these rods are as Mark got them so I will let him answer that. Have you used your rods yet? How they doing?

What stroke was your engine that you had to notch the strengthening rib on? I was hoping that with this short stroke, I wouldn't have a problem. It looks like it has lots of room but I didn't mock it up first like I probably should have. I have never had a clearance problem in later blocks so didn't think about it until I got the crank in. This is only the second 59-60 block I have built. The other one was a 4.25 stroke with steel rods so of course it had no issues. I usually just mock up the crank and clearance the block for that, which I had to do with this crank. It hit near the oil pan rail, at the front corner of the block.