[Joe-Touring]

Hey guys, I picked up some NOS C and A pontiac rods locally, they are the forged steel press fit style. They didn’t come with any documentation, does anyone happen to know the torque spec or stretch spec? They are currently at the machine shop, I can post a pic later today.

Thanks

[25stevem]

I would say that you should get prepared to go with the stretch even if you did have the needed ft lb spec.

Have these bolts in these rods been torqued up more then 4 times, because if so you might want to replaced them with new bolts and then resize as needed.

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by 25stevem

I would say that you should get prepared to go with the stretch even if you did have the needed ft lb spec.

Have these bolts in these rods been torqued up more then 4 times, because if so you might want to replaced them with new bolts and then resize as needed.

Hmm, does anyone have any stretch gauge suggestions? The ARP tool is pretty spendy.

I believe the rods have never been run, so I should be good there. I do plan on having the machine shop check the big and small ends.

[25stevem]

It would help to know if these rods have 3/8” or 7/16” bolts and if these are bolts, or nuts and bolts?

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by 25stevem

It would help to know if these rods have 3/8” or 7/16” bolts and if these are bolts, or nuts and bolts?

I believe they are 7/16" and they are bolts. Here's some pics:

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by 25stevem

It would help to know if these rods have 3/8” or 7/16” bolts and if these are bolts, or nuts and bolts?

They appear to be 7/16” bolts. Sorry about taking so long to reply, I tried a posting pics a couple days ago and it said it was waiting mod approval.

[Joe-Touring]

[AG]

Call C&A up and tell them the bolt you have and ask the for the recommended torque and lube.

[25stevem]

This is your lucky day!!!

I had thought that I long ago threw out my 1985 C&A catalog, but I just had to dig deeper into other boxes, lol!

Please confirm the bolt size you have .

Your Rods look to be there HD versions and call for 65 to 70 lbs, or .005” to .0065” stretch with there 7/16” bolts, if they turn out to have 3/8” bolts then the stretch is the same, but torque would be 53 to 58 lbs.

Your rods are based on a BBC forging .

I would use ARP lube and go with the stretch method.

In regards to the suggestion in post 8, they can’t be reached because they are out of business, and this came about long before covid if I recall correctly.

Too bad, I had used there type of hapless rings many times with great results!

[25stevem]

Correction!!!
There SS series bolts like you have seem to only be available in 3/8”.
Please confirm this and if so use the numbers I posted for them.

Sorry that I did not look close to your bolts earlier!

[Joe-Touring]

Originally Posted by 25stevem

This is your lucky day!!!

Your Rods look to be there HD versions and call for 65 to 70 lbs, or .005” to .0065” stretch with there 7/16” bolts, if they turn out to have 3/8” bolts then the stretch is the same, but torque would be 53 to 58 lbs.

Your rods are based on a BBC forging .

I would use ARP lube and go with the stretch method.

Too bad, I had used there type of hapless rings many times with great results!

Wow, thanks Steve! Really is my lucky day, the amount of knowledge on this forum is wild. There’s probably only a handful of people in the world who still have that old catalog from a defunct company.

I also appreciate all the cylinder head info you’ve posted over the years, I picked up some #17 heads based on your small valve head thread.

[25stevem]

Your welcome, and thanks for reminding me to get back to putting some free time into toying with those number 15 mule head castings that are now on my shelf.