I run a 78 Alfetta 2.0l in Chumpcar. History of the car prior to 2012 is mostly unknown. P/O started converting it to a race car, I finished it! I've refreshed bearings once and did a complete overhaul once, both times I've reused the rod bolts. So far we have accumulated about 130hrs of time on the race track- 7-10 hrs at a time never exceeding 6500 rpm, mostly seeing around 6000 rpm. I don't think Alfa skimped on hardware.
Poll - did you replace rod bolts for a street motor?
I'm wrapping up an idled 2L motor rebuild. Nothing fancy: Motronics, Ingram street pump, 10548 cams. I don't know the rod bolts to be a weak point on these motors and hand't planned on replacing them. I don't have plans to race or rev it past the stock redline so I hadn't given much thought to the rod bolts. Then they started nagging me. The "cheap insurance" phenomenon (which adds up to expensive insurance, but that's what makes a motor rebuild I suppose...).
So: Did you replace yours? The factor bolts+nuts are way more expensive than a set from ARP, which I've seen on the web for $120, so that's likely the way I'd go.
Need to make a decision this week so pipe up if you have a thought!
So: Did you replace yours? The factor bolts+nuts are way more expensive than a set from ARP, which I've seen on the web for $120, so that's likely the way I'd go.
Need to make a decision this week so pipe up if you have a thought!
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I have only rebuilt two bottom ends and never worried about rod bolts. Has not been an issue.
Me too. Re-used them and rev the motor past 7000 regularly.
Re used mine too.
Good luck,
Vin
Good luck,
Vin
I've done more than a few motors and never had an issue with reusing rod bolts.
Up until my most recent rebuild, I would have added the same thought to this thread. But on the last go-round, I used an experienced Alfa machinist and he advocated ARP rod bolts. Yea, they cost about $120. My engine gets the same sort of use that r-mm contemplates: NOT competition.I've done more than a few motors and never had an issue with reusing rod bolts.
Is this cheap insurance or a waste of money? I don't know for sure, but it wasn't a bit percentage of the whole rebuild budget and I trust the advice of Engine Machine Service in Los Angeles.
my compromise was to replace the bolts with new, standard Alfa items. was 70 bucks or so.
I used APR rod bolts. You can usually buy them at a steep discount at JEGS or Summit. Cheap insurance, IMHO.
Cleaned the threads of the original bolts and nuts, added a drop of red Locktite
If I am building a Bosch F/I engine, the stock bolts are good enough. If it's a Spica engine or carbureted, and the valvetrain is not stock, then I use ARP hardware.
Even for people who swear they never race, I remind them that everybody has a wild hair.
Go ahead, spend the few extra bucks. You'll never regret it.
Hans
Even for people who swear they never race, I remind them that everybody has a wild hair.
Go ahead, spend the few extra bucks. You'll never regret it.
Hans
Cheap insurance, next engine will have new rod bolts and nuts.
And as Alfa Romeo is not GM or Ford they will be if not as good as ARP, close to as good.my compromise was to replace the bolts with new, standard Alfa items. was 70 bucks or so.
Notice the quality of the other fasteners and for example the quality of steel used on our axles, way better than GM/Ford, etc.
Pete
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