The Ford Barn

Bluebell · 07-11-2013, 04:54 AM

How do the French rods compare to 8BA (29A?) conrods. Can anyone draw a comparison between the two performance wise.

KiWinUS · 07-11-2013, 08:08 AM

Performance wise , in a flathead "NO" difference.

Ford Flathead · 07-11-2013, 08:49 AM

no difference, just new. I always change the rod nuts to ARP either way.

cuzncletus · 07-11-2013, 02:09 PM

I'll say this for them. What SoCal claims weightwise is true. I bought a set and they were all within +/- 3 grams. I had to get a new set of rods due to the wide variety of rods that came in a rebuilt engine I picked up. By the time I got used rods, sized them, and balanced them, I would have had as much in a set of reconditioned rods plus my time. SoCal had them on sale a couple of months ago.

As for ARP nuts, I don't know. You can't change the rod bolt on a flathead and that's what stretches. I never heard of anyone breaking a rod nut. Grade 8's, maybe?

52merc · 07-11-2013, 02:40 PM

ive used them as said above 3 grams between 8rods a balancers dream plus brand new and newer type meatalolagy wish i could spell

my4dv8 · 07-11-2013, 02:56 PM

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I have a set of French rods that are 6"7/8 long as compared to ford of 7" long. Not sure if they were all short like this. But you could use the short ones on a 4" crank with std. Ford pistons as opposed to the correct merc pistons.

Bluebell · 07-11-2013, 07:05 PM

My4dv8, Those rods, (with merc pistons) fit the 4.0" (merc) crank.(also french made)
Thank you guys for your imput.

I wasn't considering balance (but that, and recon costs alone, are swinging me) mostly I was concerned about the metalurgy, strength, durability aspect.

38 coupe · 07-11-2013, 07:10 PM

I would like to get a set of the 6 7/8" rods. Does anyone know who still sells them?

07-11-2013, 04:54 AM	#1
Bluebell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 726	French conrods verses 8BA Rods How do the French rods compare to 8BA (29A?) conrods. Can anyone draw a comparison between the two performance wise.

07-11-2013, 08:08 AM	#2
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 2,960	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods Performance wise , in a flathead "NO" difference.

07-11-2013, 08:49 AM	#3
Ford Flathead Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 92	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods no difference, just new. I always change the rod nuts to ARP either way.

07-11-2013, 02:09 PM	#4
cuzncletus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sevierville, Tenn. Posts: 391	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods I'll say this for them. What SoCal claims weightwise is true. I bought a set and they were all within +/- 3 grams. I had to get a new set of rods due to the wide variety of rods that came in a rebuilt engine I picked up. By the time I got used rods, sized them, and balanced them, I would have had as much in a set of reconditioned rods plus my time. SoCal had them on sale a couple of months ago. As for ARP nuts, I don't know. You can't change the rod bolt on a flathead and that's what stretches. I never heard of anyone breaking a rod nut. Grade 8's, maybe?

07-11-2013, 02:40 PM	#5
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods ive used them as said above 3 grams between 8rods a balancers dream plus brand new and newer type meatalolagy wish i could spell __________________ trev,, whats life "TOUGH" whats tough ' LIFE"

07-11-2013, 02:56 PM	#6
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,111	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a set of French rods that are 6"7/8 long as compared to ford of 7" long. Not sure if they were all short like this. But you could use the short ones on a 4" crank with std. Ford pistons as opposed to the correct merc pistons.

07-11-2013, 07:05 PM	#7
Bluebell Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Tauranga, New Zealand Posts: 726	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods My4dv8, Those rods, (with merc pistons) fit the 4.0" (merc) crank.(also french made) Thank you guys for your imput. I wasn't considering balance (but that, and recon costs alone, are swinging me) mostly I was concerned about the metalurgy, strength, durability aspect.

07-11-2013, 07:10 PM	#8
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: French conrods verses 8BA Rods I would like to get a set of the 6 7/8" rods. Does anyone know who still sells them?