[Gach]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

For some reason my experience has been the opposite on the Chinese stuff. The first set of Eagle rods we had in the shop were 100% failure. Couldn't use any of them. Sent them back, no issue. The next set had 2 in spec. 6 out of spec. Called and asked for a supply of dowels so we could take them apart, cut them, hone them and use them. Good experience for the students. They were pissed on the phone but after calming them down they sent a little cloth bag of dowels. This was 10-12 years ago. As time has gone along, the rods have been better and better but we check every one for size, out of round and taper. About 5% or so now still need some touch-up in the hone to really be right. They almost always measure small when there is an issue so very easy to fix. Haven't had to cut an eagle rod in several years because it was too big. Press fit small ends are particularly tight. There is just no way to install them as delivered. Often have .003"-.004" press fit. That's just too darn tight. You would have to heat the small end to bright blue to get a pin in. That;s not the right way to do it. We hone them to .0016-.0018 press. That works great. Different shops have different methods. Some even press in at room temp. I don't want to move any metal installing wrist pins. Been using Molnar products for 3 years now. Have not had to machine anything. Still check every part though.

Whats the hp range of the majority of engines you build in school shop with students.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Gach

Whats the hp range of the majority of engines you build in school shop with students.

This is an estimate. The majority of engines built are in the 450-500 HP range peak. But the variety is really interesting to me. We had a Model A Ford engine that made almost 50 HP! Stock was 24. We had a 289 Studebaker engine make 503 HP with stock iron heads and a tiny Vortech supercharger. We had an accurate replica of the Wright Brothers first engine, built from the original blueprints with original style aluminum block make 12.8 HP peak and scared us to death. Highest HP was a BBC 535 CU in twin turbo. At the time, our Dyno would only absorb 1000 ft. lbs. of torque. It overran our dyno at 3000 RPM's. So we don't know what kind of HP it really made. We have since upgraded to a 1500 ft. lb. absorber and software. Average student spends around 2K on parts for their build. We had a student build a 450 HP SBC with mostly used parts for $750.00. had a student build a 735 HP Kasse Boss 9 engine. He had around 20K in parts for that one. It's fun and challenging and all over the board. My co-teacher and I do feel a great responsibility making sure they do everything right because it's their money they are spending and we don't want any failures. Despite our best efforts, we have had a few in 20 years of doing this.

Back to Molnar, we have built about 8 engines with Molnar crankshafts and rods so far. SBF, SBC, 440 MOPAR, 2 Pontiacs. So a decent sample size. More to come I imagine. No failures at this point.

[Gach]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

This is an estimate. The majority of engines built are in the 450-500 HP range peak. But the variety is really interesting to me. We had a Model A Ford engine that made almost 50 HP! Stock was 24. We had a 289 Studebaker engine make 503 HP with stock iron heads and a tiny Vortech supercharger. We had an accurate replica of the Wright Brothers first engine, built from the original blueprints with original style aluminum block make 12.8 HP peak and scared us to death. Highest HP was a BBC 535 CU in twin turbo. At the time, our Dyno would only absorb 1000 ft. lbs. of torque. It overran our dyno at 3000 RPM's. So we don't know what kind of HP it really made. We have since upgraded to a 1500 ft. lb. absorber and software. Average student spends around 2K on parts for their build. We had a student build a 450 HP SBC with mostly used parts for $750.00. had a student build a 735 HP Kasse Boss 9 engine. He had around 20K in parts for that one. It's fun and challenging and all over the board. My co-teacher and I do feel a great responsibility making sure they do everything right because it's their money they are spending and we don't want any failures. Despite our best efforts, we have had a few in 20 years of doing this.

Back to Molnar, we have built about 8 engines with Molnar crankshafts and rods so far. SBF, SBC, 440 MOPAR, 2 Pontiacs. So a decent sample size. More to come I imagine. No failures at this point.

Coming from you someone who’s had real experience with Molnar products and not someone beating his chest, feeding his ego..because he bought a set of their rods, just gives me so much more faith in their products. God teaching this for a living must be awful rewarding. Although I’m sure there’s trying times. Thanks

[b-man]

Originally Posted by Gach

Coming from you someone who’s had real experience with Molnar products and not someone beating his chest, feeding his ego..because he bought a set of their rods, just gives me so much more faith in their products. God teaching this for a living must be awful rewarding. Although I’m sure there’s trying times. Thanks

Cool it Lou.

Make nice or I’ll make it myself.