Steel Rods Over 20# Boost?

Has anyone used steel rods running 20-28# boost? Putting my stuff back together soon, and have the option of going either way-Oliver Max or GRP pro material. BBC Big M billet caps, Callies Magnum crank. I ran 15-19# with the Olivers last year and the bearings look great.

I know aluminum rods are easier on the bearings and crank.

Just wondering if anyone has experience of using steel rods with this kind of boost.

 

Wow, 200 views and no responses.

Opinions, anyone?

 

I would use the aluminum. We have used the Olivers in blown off shore marine which is hard on parts but not like 25# boost. Another thing to consider is an aluminum rod failure a lot of times causes damage that can be repaired, steel rod usually cuts the engine in half.

 

I am going with the aluminum because of several reasons.

The Olivers would probably be just fine strength wise, but I feel the GRP's give me a little more "cushion" if the tune up is off a little.

 

Been using the heavy Olivers for 8 years @ 30# in a dragboat. Last year we upgraded to a D screw and ran 36# rods are fine. No bearing smash. Building a spare with them and bought a new set.

 

Craig, what stroke is this engine and what crank are you using?

 

4.25 callies mag bbc have turned it 8600 @ 40 psi

 

That's encouraging, I run the same crank and stroke. What heads?

 

Protopline 360 It's a shame Racing head service turned them into junk

 

I was running RHS heads, but started getting water in one intake port. It's going back together with Profiler solid heads.

 

I take it yours are O ringed?

 

The block is heads are grooved. Dart block, Indy intake , Dribblers and ports. 98% od can go 126% but lack the ballz.

 

By dribblers you mean hat nozzles, right?

 

They are basically an idle circuit for the screw. We only have 4 nozzles in the hat

 

OK, I've heard the term dribblers before in reference to a screw blower, but wasn't sure what it meant.

 

there are 8 dribblers and 8 ports in the manifold.

 

Plus the four in the hat?

 

Yes I sent you my #

 

Holy injector Batman! Who makes that thing and how is the idle with all that throttle blade area?

 

I thought I was seeing double! LOL