Pasky

I just can't see spending $60 on bolts, don't care if you call me a cheap ***. Just wondering if someone can tell me the sizes and what to use (stud, nut, etc...) so I can go get some grade 10 bad boys on it.

rskrause

ARP's are ~<$50 from Jegs, Summit, SDPC etc.

Rich

Pasky

*sigh*, I can get a handful of grade 10's for $7... Don't feel like paying $50 in bolts because they say ARP. If its a stupid idea say so, but if a regular ole' bolt and nut will work, screw ARP

chevyguy3

umm, maybe in other areas that may be true, but you are insane if you are even thinking of using Grade 8 bolts from a hardware store for rod bolts

Pasky

Alrighty, I have no idea if this could be done, which is why im asking. So I take it rod bolts have some sort of special fitting or something???? Im not trying to be a smart ***, im sincerely asking why it isn't a good idea.

1racerdude

Rod bolts are rod bolts.Grade 10 cap screws or bolts and nuts are nuts and bolts.
Rod bolts are made to FIT a rod and have the proper HEAD to fit a rod and the proper STREACH to hold a rod and cap together and the proper size to ALIGN the cap and rod.
Be advised that after installing new rod bolts the rods HAVE to be resized by a machine shop.

rskrause

The fit issues as described above are vital. Also consider rod bolts = the highest stress fasteners on a car. .

Material/Yield Strength/Tensile Strength/Use
Grade 5/90,000psi/120,000psi/Accessory bolts and studs
Grade 8/120,000psi/150,000psi/Accessory bolts and studs
"Stainless 300"/140,000psi/170,000psi/Accessory bolts & studs, head studs
Custom 450®/150,000psi/180,000psi/Head bolts, accessory bolts
8740 chrome moly/160,000psi/190,000psi/Rod bolts, head & main studs & bolts
A286/170,000psi/200,000psi/Head bolts, accessory bolts
ARP®2000/180,000psi/215,000-220,000psi/Connecting rod bolts
L19/200,000-230,000psi/230,000-260,000psi/Connecting rod bolts
Inconel 718/190-210,000psi/220-240,000psi/Connecting rod bolts
Custom Age 625+/235-255,000psi/250-280,000psi/Head studs, connecting rod bolts
ARP® 3.5/220-250,000psi/250-280,000psi/Connecting rod bolts
AerMet® 100/258,500psi/300,000psi/Connecting rod bolts

8740 is the minimal material you should consider for rod bolts. It is ~33% stronger than Grade 8. I get warm and fuzzies thinking about my ARP 3.5 bolts!!!

Rich

SStrokerAce

Good post Rich I was just about to do that!!!!

I'll put it this way.....

That $50 you save on the Grade 8's at the hardware store.... well I'm going to just put a conservative guess that they are going to cost you a full rebuild or a whole motor. So go look on ebay or call a local yard and ask what a LT1 Long Block runs for now, cause that's what it's going to cost when that grade 8 bolt goes..... because i'm 100% sure it will.... and you loose... a set of valves, a rod definately, a crank, a piston and probably get a big dam hole in the block or the pan.

A ROB BOLT IS THE HIGHEST STREESSED PART IN A ENGINE PERIOD. These are parts that aren't aircraft quality, they are better. You know that Ford commercial with a F150 hanging from a bolt they use in the frame on the truck, well that thing is comparable to a poodle and a rod bolt is closer to ohhhhh King Kong. Something like a Pro Stock rod bolt or F1 rod bolt is probably one if not thee highest stressed bolt in the world.

If you do go with the grade 8's start a poll on here for how long it's going to last. I'm in on that with lots of money.

I don't want to sound like I'm picking on you, but a grade 8 bolt in a rod is THE DUMBEST MISTAKE YOU CAN DO in a engine. Mostly because a set of ARP's is fool proof if you can use the lube that comes with it and a decent TQ wrench.

Bret

SStrokerAce

My bad grade 10, well you might get down to the store and back with that. At least it gets out of the driveway.

Bret

Pasky

Which is exactly why I asked, thanks.

Pasky

I feel like such a dumbass, I never realized these were pressed on. Forgive my stupidity. Never took time to look at them.

Pasky

Ok, quick question. Last night I was looking for my rod nuts (my garage is a mess with all the parts lying around) and couldn't find them. Can I use a regular nut or is this thing also very high strentgh? If not, guess i'll be searching through my garage or going to the dealer. THanks.

96m6lt1

hey pasky go through the garage with a telescoping magnet and find that nut or just run to the dealer and get one or better yet if you have some x-tra cash buy a set of arps and have the rods resized.......its worth it bro.

LT4orbust

yes, that nut is just as important as the bolt