[groundrail]

What kind of reconditioning can be done on powered metal rods? I heard there's a problem with shot peening causing segregation of silicon carbide particles from the aluminum powder.

I want to use powered metal rods in a street engine because powdered rods are lighter than conventional forgings resulting in low reciprocating weight and smooth high rpm operation.

[coldknock]

No problems that I know of with shotpeening but I'm still sceptical about the strength and they don't weigh that much less than regular forged rods.

Larry

[NorthStar]

They are lighter for sure but dont go past the strength point or they will break causing a total engine failure. They wont bend or distort like a forged rod would. Ok for a mild engine but I wouldnt put them in a high performance application.

Theyre still made from steel but start out as powered metal.
Thats the whole advantage for the manufacturer they pour the powder in one end of the machine and out come finished product on the other end. Totally automated, repeatability, and much less labor involved.


If your rods have a cracked cap design you wont be able to grind cap mating surface. So unless theres a oversized bearing available all you can hope for is that the large bore is still in spec or slightly small requiring a small amount of honing.


If the caps have a machined mating surface recondition it like any other rod.