Tony P. I have used the stock rods in all my racing engines except for my newest one. I agree that longer is better but the strength of the stock rod has proven to last as horsepower of the stock engine has doubled. Yes, moving up the pin 1" does make for a lighter shorter piston but the "rocking effect" is also greater with the shorter piston and the rod weighs more. Tighter side clearances with some piston manufacturers do help.
Affordable is in the eyes of the beholder or builder as they say. The last time I checked Cunningham rods were about half the cost of a Carillos. The engines I have built in the 70's and 80's were a lot less expensive than today but at that time I also had a lot less money.
Today as we all know metal prices are up. So everything we want made of metal is too.
The most I would ever pay for a 302 GMC was $60. That would be for a used good short block. The last one I bought with a 0-0 crank and stock bore was $150. You see what they are going for today. O-ringing 3 heads and 2 blocks costs me more today than my first record setting engine and I had to make the most of the fixture.
I'm sorry to see the days of fairly inexpensive built engines going to wayside but what are you going to do. When an AN-12 90 degree fitting is 25 bucks...o-well
I wish anyone good luck with these engines especially anyone taking one on the the first time like Ron and Gary....With todays knowledge and better parts to start with, we do make more power without breaking as much (sometimes)
...Good luck to all. J.D.
