1967 302 small journal connecting rods

[opelitis1]

Going through my listings and,  lo  n  behold I found information pertaining my connecting rods with 11/32 nds SPS bolts. Rods have had 3 runs on them at maybe 6000 - 6400 rpm at the most until the number 4 main bearing saddle cracked finishing the 337 c.i.
I have since located these rods and could someone tell me what color daub of paint is  at the small end of the rods from GM..??
Rods are "floating" type.   Bought in 74 - or 1976.  These are like brand, brand new GM 302 Z28 small journal rods that we had bolted up to crank 3838495.

Thanks!!
Ted

[opelitis1]

Good morning Gentlemen!!  There has to be someone that could gimme a hand with the identification of these small journal connecting rods. They are not 'press-fitted' but are I believe the term is free-floating.  In '67 from what I have been reading, the rods were in fact press-fitted.  I bought these new from a dealer here in Montreal back in the mid 70s new, along with blue tipped push rods, 3938495 special crank, angle plug heads 3965742 dated Q15 3 and  Q16 3 . I had to bring the crank back to the dealer as it was not straight according to the engine builder back then. They supplied another 3838495 and it was o.k.   Pushrods might've been 1.79 each  way back then.
Had all the bills on file but the only one I can find right now is for the blue tips.  Pistons for the setup were TRW 2211 AF 060 models.  The intake was an Edelbrock tunnel ram with 2 660 centre shooters.  All this in a light 49 Anglia that I never got to drive as I traded her  (the car) for a 56 Chebby.  Frigging mistake as the 49 was beautiful.
TRW slugs are still attached to the Z28 SJ rods. 
Nothing nefarious here gentlemen.  I have to be sure that the color of "paint or dye" is correct.   Again rods are with 3 low rpm runs on 'em.
If pictures would be in order, for your help, no problemmo!
Sorry re. the long thread.
Ted
I want to be sure the
Nothing nefarious here gentlemen.  Perfect for the enthusiast who must have  correct  parts for his 1967 302  Z28.

[Stingr69]

You have some old small journal rods.  You describe them as small journal full floating type but there are none of them used in production engines.  If it was a HD Service part, you might have something, but my old 70's Power Manual catalog only lists 3864881 as a small journal heavy duty service rod, and that one is not full floating.  If the small end has been dipped in babbit, it would be interesting to see.  If it is just honed for a floating pin fit, It could have been done by the builder.   

They are not "correct" for anything.  Just a set of modified old SJ rods with upgraded bolts. 

[jdv69z]

I was under the impression that the 67 Z's rods were the same as regular production rods. Nothing special about them?

[opelitis1]

Good afternoon!
The rods I have were bought under number 3927145 if memory serves.  There is a light whitish creamy paint or dye fogged onto each rod.  I'll take a few pics of various areas of the sj rods..  If you Google the above p/n they were the top of the line rod for 67 Z28.  The 7145 rod was to have come from the factory magnafluxed, heat treated, and shotpeened  and selected for the best possible rod-to-cap parting surfaces.  This is from Chevy DIY.com..  I know the 67 rod  had a press-fit pin.  Mine are full-floating and the bolts are SPS which was the way to go at the time.  I am trying to dig out my old bill from a Chevy dealier in the East End of Montreal which has not existed for many, many a year.  I have 1 bill so far for the Blue Tip Pushrods.  My old listings point to the 3927145 p/n.  Just this weird creamy dye on each rod must say something as I have other sj rods minus this application.  I can get pictures of these beauties if it'll aid in figuring this out.
I'd like to PM photos that I will take  and not splash 'em everywhere on the web to have people somehow copy the dye and get numbers on the big ends to "screw" an unknowing person.
Thanks in advance!!
Ted

[opelitis1]

Good evening gentlemen!   
I took some pics to help figure out the pin retaining method for the SJ rods.  I do not see any circlips.
Can someone here accept the pictures and take a discerning peekand let me know??
Ted

[69Z28-RS]

I was under the impression that the 67 Z's rods were the same as regular production rods. Nothing special about them?

There were two versions of early V8 rods; reg production for smaller horsepower engines and a stronger HD rod with thicker rod caps and big ends...  The '67 302 used the HD rods as did most of the HP and SHP engines of that period.

[opelitis1]

Good morning gentlemen!!
Retaining method is not circlips,  I still need someone one who is knowledgeable in this regard  to help me figure out how they held in the piston pins by checking out 2 photos.
Thanks!!
Ted

[69Z28-RS]

Without circlips, the piston pin is either pressed into the rod small end OR the piston.   If the pin is 'fully floated' (as in '69 302 engines), then circlips are used since both the pistons and the rod end are free to rotate around the pin.

[Stingr69]

Ted,
You never sent them to me.

[opelitis1]

Will send 'em later tonight Stingr69..
Merci  -  Thanks!!
Ted

[Stingr69]

Ted,
The parts in the pix are aftermarket forged oversize pistons with retainer grooves.  Rods have white paint marks. 

No retainers in the piston pin retainer grooves so I suspect they are not floating rods.  It is common to use pressed pin type rods with pistons that have pin retainer grooves but you should not put retainers in them. 

[opelitis1]

The pistons are;  TRW 2211 AF 060  Powerforged units.  Going 060 over was a mite of a stretch, but, at the time it was the way the go.   I'll see if a couple of old time engine builders are still available and, if I have to, I'll bring a rod n' piston for them to try'n remember how the pins were retained back in the day.  Spiro locks kinda ring a bell, but one of these people would have to take a peek.  I am sure these were purchased new as 67 302 Z28 SJ rods.
The goal was to race the lightweight Anglia with  a TRW 1Y intake and  2 Holley 660 cfm centre shooters plus angle plug heads. A Crane roller cam of .548 lift with 272 duration was chosen for the setup.  Plans went astray as I traded the english Ford for a 56 Chevy as it was going to cost $$$ to redo the suspension front and rear and get a real cage in the l'il beast to make her safe.

Looking back, I should've went with the Anglia.   But, what da heck eh??   Had a real brain and great guy  by the name of Joe Roy who worked down at Zekes in Lachine all set  to do the work.

Sorry about the trip down memory lane, late 70s - to mid 80s
Gonna have to get back to you gentlemen on the 67 Z28 rods.

Take care eh and,  thanks Stingr69!!!
Ted in Montreal

[69Z28-RS]

Did you ever post photos of the Rods??

[bcmiller]

If he did, I didn’t see them.

3864881 is the 1967 connecting rod used for 302 and 327. Don’t think there is anything super special about it.

Early 68 (first design) 302 rods are pink rods, but not full floating. Late 68 (and 69 as mentioned) are full floating.