Forged Pontiac Rods

**DAVE H** · #1 06-21-2023, 07:41 PM

I just picked up a '63 Pontiac 421(28g suffix) #544988 block. It came with a box of 8 forged con rods. I'm trying to find accurate information to identify these rods and finding very little..other than the forgings are very rare. So, here is a pic.. any help?

**tjs44** · #2 06-22-2023, 02:24 AM

The good early forged rods are the 421SDs.The bolt length is the diff from the pass car rods.Will look it up tomorrow and get back to you.Tom

**tjs44** · #3 06-22-2023, 02:31 AM

Those are 63-65 HO rods.I would use aftermarket instead.Tom

**tjs44** · #4 06-22-2023, 02:37 AM

FYI,the forged 58-62 rods were called the rubber rods,low heat treating.The next were better but not as good as the 421SDs.Myself I would use aftermarket forged over any of the factory early forged rods.The 421 HO I’m driving I actually used the 69-70 cast rods over the early forged.Tom

**tjs44** · #5 06-22-2023, 02:39 AM

The Bible for this stuff is Pontiac Musclecar Performance 1955-1979 by Pete McCarthy.Still avail.Tom

**John Brown** · #6 06-22-2023, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjs44

The Bible for this stuff is Pontiac Musclecar Performance 1955-1979 by Pete McCarthy.Still avail.Tom

You just saved me from getting my copy off the shelf.

**DAVE H** · #7 06-22-2023, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjs44

The Bible for this stuff is Pontiac Musclecar Performance 1955-1979 by Pete McCarthy.Still avail.Tom

Thank you very much Tom. Just ordered it.
Dave.

turbo69bird · #8 09-15-2023, 03:01 PM

I’d have to look for the info but those rods were made I. Batches of 2500 at a time and sold over the counter. Not as strong as a SD455 rod , definitely not as staring as an aftermarket eagle or something like that. Rockwell hardness isn’t that n
High . BUT they did make them
In 69 also aswhat Mc carthy called the mystery Rod and stock racers who knew about it used them.
My 69 bird raced by Stephen used these rods
They were considered by Pontiac a service replacement rod is what bill said I have a set that came out of my service replacement RAIV engine that stephens had for the car and a freind of mine bought from them back inthe early 70s after the car had been sold. I also have a small article in one of the magazines I. 69 talking about how they still make them in batches of 2500 for racers in the know Hard to know if these are the 69 version or the original early rod or if there was any difference in them at all

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