Chevy rod on Ford crank?

SoCalCruising

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Jul 25, 2000

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SoCal

Nov 28, 2006

#1

• Nov 28, 2006

• #1

I'm researching a combo and want to know if a 5.7" Chevy rod can be used on a Ford crank. I know I can get the Chevy crank pin and pistons with a Chevy pin, but I'm not sure about the rod width. Are they the same? Or, if not, can the Chevy rod be machined "thinner" so it will have proper side clearance on the Ford crank pin?
Thanks.

 

6

66bluepony

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Nov 7, 2004

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Nov 28, 2006

#2

• Nov 28, 2006

• #2

5.7

Yes the chev rod can be narrowed to ford width. What is your crank, piston combo for 5.7 rod.

 

rbohm

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Apr 12, 2002

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tucson,az

Nov 28, 2006

#3

• Nov 28, 2006

• #3

as stated, yes a chevy rod can be used on a ford crank with some machine work. that said however the 5.7 chevy rod is nearly .6" longer than a stock ford 289 or 302 rod, and wont fit in the stock ford block. it is also .2" shorter than a 351w rod which makes it easy to stroke the 351, but the rod/stroke ratio goes in the tank. if you plan on using a chevy rod in the 289/302 block, use a 400 chevy rod instead. it is shorter (5.565 compared to 5.7).

 

SoCalCruising

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#4

• Nov 28, 2006

• #4

Nah. None of that.
I'm researching the use of a 8.7" tall-deck 302 block (Dart). Crank would be 3.5" stroke with 302 mains/Chevy pins (not off-the-shelf) and bore is 4.125". That makes 374ci in a package only slightly larger than a standard 302. Rod ratio is friendly at 1.63 and piston compression height is 1.24" (off-the-shelf). I'm now determining all of the tall deck-specific parts, other than the rotating assy [push rods, distributor(?), intake manifold (not many choices)]. Headers are a question mark, but some of the poorer fitting ones (Super Comps that hang a bit low, anyway) might fit okay. Shorties would work, of course.

If not too many parts are unique, then I will consider it reasonable. It would fit nicely between the frame rails of an early Mustang and other narrow engine bay cars (Falcon, Comet, etc.) and make nice power.

 

BullittStangV8

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Oct 5, 2002

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NJ

Nov 28, 2006

#5

• Nov 28, 2006

• #5

Whats the point of going with the Chevy rods? Arnt there ford specific rods that would work for your application? Are Chevy rods better then similar Ford products?
The only reason I question this is that in my old 289, the previous owner tried to use chevy rods, and it played a part in the engine giving up. Probably wasnt done properly.

 

SoCalCruising

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#6

• Nov 28, 2006

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1.75" (stroke/2) + 5.7" (rod) + 1.24" (c-h) + 8.690
which (nominally) leaves the slugs .005" in the hole on a tall deck 302 block that has been decked .005". The piston is a Probe off-the-shelf piece for a 4.125" bore. I'm not sure about the crank - might have to be a Scat 7000 peice. The rods at 5.7" work and aftermarket Chevy rods are plentiful, light-weight and relatively cheap.

 

brianj5600

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Sep 19, 2003

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Middle TN

Nov 28, 2006

#7

• Nov 28, 2006

• #7

Are they Ford pistons? Or 400 Chevy pistons? What valve reliefs are cut?

 

dodgestang

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Dec 15, 2003

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Cecil County, MD

Nov 28, 2006

#8

• Nov 28, 2006

• #8

most stroker kits I see run chevy rods. All 3 versions of my cleveland stroker have used chevy rods. Nature of the beast, common sizes, readily available....

 

SoCalCruising

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Nov 29, 2006

#9

• Nov 29, 2006

• #9

Ford pistons (with respect to valve relief location) using Chevy piston pins. Quite common in aftermarket slugs. Cranks are also commonly available with either Chevy or Ford pins. The trick will be to find an off-the-shelf crank with 3.5" stroke, 302 mains and Chevy rod pins. I've seen them used in magazine builds for big-inch short deck (standard 8.2") strokers, but I don't recall if they were custom or not.