409 stock rod strength

[John Milner]

Are the stock rods strong enough to live safely in a 409 engine that will make 400 horsepower or under? My stock rods are in good shape. I had intentions to have ARP bolts added and have the rods resized before I put the engine back together. I won't be drag racing the engine or spinning it over 5,500 rpm or so. I suspect it will have close to 400 horsepower after I get it finished.

 

[El Rat]

Should be ok! If it was mine I wouldn't change.

 

[MRHP]

Compare the cost of having your originals refurbished, or just buying new ones. Ill bet new ones are about the same price, and most likely stronger.

 

[Fathead Racing]

I've ran stock 348 and 409 rods in many rebuilds with no issues, ran the tail off them. Shifted the 348 at 5500 rpm and the 409 at 6000/6200 for many years. Brian is correct, a "good" aftermarket Rod should be stronger but you need a quality piece.

 

[Don Jacks]

As long as you keep it under 6,000,you'll be fine with good bolts and resize the bottom end.There isn't any sense in turning the 0951 that high anyway.

 

[La Hot Rods]

I have taken them to 7200 with the factory 409/409 pistons.

 

[boxerdog]

I have taken them to 7200 with the factory 409/409 pistons.

I am kinda guilty of that also, although my Ross pistons are a little lighter. Rev limiter was 7300, never had a problem with that 409 and it still runs like a top. Except it isn't in my car right now. But it was for at least 3 years. They were polished, peened, magged and good bolts.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

I recall about $300 to have all eight rods R&R'd including ARP fasteners.

A new set of BBC rods cost about the same, and I gotta think a good quality new rod would trump a refurbished 50 year old part?

 

[La Hot Rods]

But he needs a 409 rod, not sure of what the aftermarket is for this.

 

[John Milner]

Thanks for the recommendations and knowledge everyone. It sounds like the factory rods will do the job for me. I would probably go with some bbc rods if I were boring the engine out and buying new pistons. I just can’t justify it as nice as the engine looks internally. As of now it looks like I’ll just add some arp bolts and resize the rods.

 

[MRHP]

I believe Showcars has the rods.

 

[Don Jacks]

Whatever you do,have that assembly balanced.Also,measure the piston tops distance down from the blocks deck,at the minimum of each corner of the block.You're going to need that in order to figure the correct thickness head gasket so to keep the designed in quench area intact.Failure to do this and going too wide[over .060] will result in a more detonation prone engine.

 

[Don Jacks]

But he needs a 409 rod, not sure of what the aftermarket is for this.

Both Show Cars and Lamar Walden sell aftermarket 409 length rods.They're both right around 300,are available bushed or press fit,basicly the same as an Eagle or Scat rod.Considerabily stronger than stock.

 

[La Hot Rods]

If your factory rods are to out of round, look for a different set.

 

[boxerdog]

If I were building that same engine today, I'd probably at least use the aftermarket rods or order pistons designed for longer BBC style rods. But that was several years ago and that looked like the best option at the time.

 

[Don Jacks]

To quote Jack Gibbs,whose built a couple of these old engines in his time,"If you want me to use these 50 plus year old rods in your new engines,fine,BUT I won't warranty it."

 

[La Hot Rods]

Guess the old trick is to have many rods to pick from, check for straightness and holes at both ends roundness and size, then pick the best ones.

 

[Skip FIx]

I have a couple of sets I'll never need-or use for reasons mentioned above. Shipping for those heavy things might be pricey.

 

[Fathead Racing]

Well, the rods weren't as old when I started building W's. I didn't have as much money back then either. In all the years I've not seen a stock 409 rod break. Spun bearings, dropped valves, broken piston skirts but no broken rods. Has anyone here had a broken rod?

 

[Don Jacks]

I got a set last year from a fellow member in Ks,the shipping was not bad at all.Having said that,if you don't have any at all,by the time you locate,buy,ship,and then have them magnafluxed, new rod bolts installed,and the bottom ends resized,you have exceeded the cost of newer stronger rods.