SPM Rods Not usable - anybody had any issues?

[Jonnybravo]

Interesting thread as its one of the things I will eventually do.

I've used Eagle rods in a lot of big revving Vauxhall engines without issues, however they are cheap and I wouldn't put them in a 10k engine build. More recently I have used Saenz rods, I got a bit of a deal on 3 sets and after selling 2 sets very cheap I found out that they are rated as highly as Arrow rods ! oh well, you win some and lose some, if you can get Saenz rods I'd advise you use those, at £650 for 4 though I cant imagine they will be within everyones budget.

I was in a well known Escort Cosworth at the ring at Easter that runs a stroked engine using a Farndon crank and rods, after one of our laps we heard a ticking noise from the bay, on inspection we noticed the crank pulley moving so assumed (hoped) the bolt was lose, sadly as soon as I attempted to tighten it the nose of the crank snapped off !
Worrying stuff when Farndon are considered one of the best manufacturers out there !

[Jonnybravo]

Apoligies for bumping a old thread and going off topic

[Ross]

Mark,

Hadn't seen this - really glad it worked out.

A quick one about the rod failure in my Avant; it was not down to a manufacturing issue with the rod; it was caused by fatigue that was a result of bearing failure. All I'm gonna say on that one for obvious reasons...

Just to conclude that the rods aren't that bad; comment was made that it's manufactured quality and metal composition were consistent to the application.

Perhaps Sten will balance me up a new, 5th rod to go with my otherwise balanced set of 4? before they end up in a Golf 16V!

Cheers
Ross

[mcandmar]

Hi Ross,

Thanks again for your help with this, you weren't joking about the communication being difficult

Have you any idea what caused the bearing failure? Just wondering if the rods were too tight, or if it was a blocked oil way.

Cheers,

Mark.

[T2Andy]

If Ross had the bearings in the engine which have been supplied in passed months
its no surprise it failed ,they are rough as a bears ****