Panic:
I recently had K1-Technologies build a set of 6.0" billet H-beam connecting rods for a future 250ci build. I provided them with an OEM 250 rod for all critical measurements and spoke to Tom Molnar about the use of "small journal" V8 rods in the 250 and he pointed out several potential problems with that approach.
Winter is spot on regarding the difference in "big end" width between the SBC V8 rods and the 250 L6 that would allow excessive oil out around the bearings due to the larger side clearance. Don't know if that will "starve" the rod bearings and cause a failure or not but it would sure be a concern.
But there are two other differences between V8 and L6 rods to consider:
1. The V8 rod has the beam slightly off-center when compared to the big and small ends when looking at the rod from the side. The L6 rod is centered. Whether this would create a problem when using V8 rods in a 250 (perhaps a side load?), I don't know.
2. The 250 rods have a bevel on both sides of the big end to provide clearance for the crank throw fillets. The V8 rod has the bevel on one side only since two rods share each throw. The V8 rods have no fillet on the side of the big ends that face each other. I would guess that lack of bevels on both sides of the V8 rod might damage the 250 crank.
Anyway, something to think about ...
