1967 302 small journal connecting rods

[Stingr69]

I did see the pix. Just a little confusion here.

They are actually pressed pin rods with pistons that have empty retainer grooves.  The grooves are put in the piston pin bores by the manufacturer in case you want to use the pistons with floating rods.  You are not required to assemble them with floating rods but it is an option with those pistons.  If you are not using a floating rod, you should not use any retainers and the guy who assembled them did not use retainers.

Bottom line - If they don't have any retainers installed, a floating assembly should fall apart in your hands.  These pins in question are pressed in.

[opelitis1]

Good afternoon bcmiller and 69Z28-RS . .
I took a few pics and sent 'em  over to Stingr69 as we were conversing re. the rods.  I'd be indebted to you if you'd take a gander at the photos. 
Maybe Stingr69 could send them to you. If not, my wife'll be back later but I'd need an e-mail address to send them to. 
Apparently the rods were heat-treated - magnafluxed  etc. etc. from  GM.   Thing that is great is, we put 3 - 4 runs on 'em and then the number 4 main saddle cracked in the block putting the rods n pistons  on hold for many, many a year until I just spotted them on my inventory listing.

A question for Bryon, is your SS396  looking for a real  1968 396 / 335 h.p. engine  # 3916323 suffix coded TO911 MY  18N31 X X X X  Casted in  H  67  !

Let me know re. the connecting rod pics.  I appreciate your help gentlemen.

Ted

[bcmiller]

That 396 could be my engine. But pretty sure mine was an MQ.

I will send you an email on the rod pics.

[bcmiller]

Never heard back or received any pics.

[Stingr69]

Never heard back or received any pics.

He did ask me to send you pix.  If you PM me your email address I can send them. 

[Stingr69]

bcmiller,
you have mail.

[opelitis1]

Good morning Gentlemen!!
BCM pics of me '68 335 h.p.  REAL suffix - coded will be a coming up.  Sorry for the delay.   Still after the connecting rod / pin / TRW conversation.  Have heard from one lad that the pins are 'press fit'  but the engine builder at the time in the mid 70s  to very early 80s used pin retainers as the newly bought TRW pistons already had grooves in them from when purchased.
This is the latest so far and I do appreciate Stingr69 and bcmiller giving me inputs. 
Pics of the 68  Camaro engine coming soon.  Suffix coded:   TO911  MY
Sorry for delay but....
Ted

[bcmiller]

Pics.

[bcmiller]

Parts book images for rod part numbers.

3864881 seems to be the part number for 302 and 327 rods in 1967.

I believe there is a typo and where is says 64-69 that should be 64-67.

[firstgenaddict]

With the piston flat on the table and the rod resting on the skirt... 
STICK YOUR FINGER IN hole on the end of THE PIN and spin the pin 360 degrees, if you cannot do this the pin is pressed.

[opelitis1]

Good evening   firstgenaddict   !!
Can't spin the pin as requested.  I do not remember the engine builder suggesting "floating pin" usage.  I have a few old TRW catalogues still hanging around and I'll see if they suggest using the clips with a pressed in pin or, was it by choice of the engine builder?
I kinda wonder about the yellowish / creamy discoloration on all the rods.  It could be that I applied a white grease say 40 years ago to protect the rods or when the magnaflux process was done  did it leave any discoloration??
Thanks!
Ted

Checked an  L2248 piston / rod combo and lo n behold, it used the same retention system as the

[bcmiller]

If you can’t spin the pin, they are not full floating.

This is an example of a pink rod.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233616362040

I don’t know but it’s possible the rods you have could have been marked off white for identification.

[opelitis1]

Good morning!!
Looks like the same "fogging" that the large journal pink rods have, only, these small journal beasties are adorned with a  white / creamy / yellowish fog type.  We
ran them on the fabled 3838495 crank for 3 - 4 runs at the very most in a heavy 75 Firebird Esprit  +  Turbo 350 trans. 

Toooo bad Mr. JohnZ isn't close by as he was the "wealth of GM knowledge" and was always very willing to share his General Motors experience(s) to all who had questions.
He has (had)  a scrapbook if I remember correctly, and if something kinda tickled his fancy and was not already in this book.  He would let you know that he was going to include whatever he was missing into his book of memoires.
Anyways... if anyone else wants to chime in on me  302 1967 Z28 SJ connecting  rods,  you are welcome.
Have a good day eh boys!!!
Ted

[69Z28-RS]

It's also too bad you can't post a decent photo of the rods.. both ends. 

[bcmiller]

Gary what other details would you like to see?