Was watching the Steve Morris video on when he broke (snapped) all 8 con rods at the small ended. I’d say the tune was consistent between all 8 cylinders in order for all 8 to break at the same spot at the same time. Weird tho, I’m saying the rods reached the end of their service life??
That blowed up real good! I worked on a Firebird once where the driver pulled it into manual low (400, 400) and it pulled a couple of rod caps off. In the process, it busted the block, so there were lifters and pushrods and stuff in the pan. The oil pump was broken off the block, as well. Amazingly, it started and I drove it into the shop and pulled the engine. It didn't look as bad as what we see here, though.
I saw this video as well and also couldnt believe what happened as well. I dont know what caused the "mass exodus of biblical proportion" as he called it. Maybe it was a fluke set of rods that werent forged correctly? However, im no engine builder so i dont have the slightest clue... i wonder what would cause all 8 rods to disintegrate into dust
It was Steve's first time using that rod & rod manufacturer. Obviously, as you can see. The rods weren't up to the task! Quite a mess
Yeah he said he was glad it wasn’t a customers engine can you imagine. Luckily not much damage to the heads or the crank. Blocks gonna need a little help.
Gear drive timing set or chain? Broken timing chain will definitely make a mess......everything will hit.....he didn't show cam condition.
... wow, in a word "metallurgy." I've never been into performance at that level, but I understand finding the weakest link. For his current build, it was rods...
that’s my vote as well. Valves hitting the pistons. Hard to imagine all 8 rods breaking at the same time unless the cam hit the crank or rods or the valves hitting the pistons. I’m imagine the top end is a mess as well. I think those engines are $40,000 plus. That block he’s running has already been busted up badly he recently welded it back together.
I dodn't think its going to be timing chain or gear drive related. It seems all the rods are broken in the same spot. Steve seems to think its the rods. I bet they were scared of all those horsepowers.
It was a "new" rod he was trying out. Not his usual vendor that he uses. No other failures in the engine. The rods just weren't up to snuff. Some talks about harmonics and metallurgy issues. He tip toed around the whole thing because the company that supplied them was butt hurt that they were outed. Not by Steve but by the internet sleuths.
Interesting! He mentioned 15,000?? He mentioned they were accented by black anodizing MAYBE being the cause? Feel bad for the rod company, never really know how hard a customer will push products
The rod company knew the rods were going in the wagon so they were aware of the power levels. They were trying to break into the high horsepower market and it didn't go well.
