I talked to JE piston company and they told me EVERYONE was running the stock rod with 440 kits and the 13/1 piston and that they had not been hearing of rod failures. Also I was told that the stock Honda rod is stronger than the hot rod. How many people out here have had rod failure? and what were you running? I personnaly know of me and two others that have had catastrophic engine failure. I am going back down to less bore 416 maybe and 12/1. I am also going back to the stock box with high compression piston to keep rpms off the situation. Maybe help motor last longer. I have done top ends on stock 400exs and the rods are all blue near the top from heat. That is were mine and my friends snapped into. Too bad Honda didnt water cool em.

 

Come to think of it.....I have'nt taken a 400ex apart that was'nt blueing the top of the rod. It's car wash time for your engine. I've been in your shoes.....I feel your pain!!

 

Compression & rpm,excess in both cause most rod failures.Most people want the biggest or the most but don't like what happens from it.If your not racing go a little less than max & you should be fine.The rods are blue from heat treating.Alot of people that sell parts don't care if your engine blows,they will just sell you more parts.Alot of people also don't know that compression over 10.8 to 1 starts causing head gaskets to blow.Call a good engine builder and see what they have to say,tell them you want a relible engine.

 

I have seen a couple of the 400 rods break when stressed with added horsepower . In my opinion the only way to go with a big bore 400 is to use a Carrillo rod. I have never seen or heard of a Carrillo rod breaking in a 400 big bore.

 

Whew, you guys had me worried when I saw the topic of this post. I'm glad you're talking about motor pieces parts [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Two years of hard riding on the 400ex with high compression is about normal for rod and bearing life......try the carillo, I hear alot of good things about it.

 

<< Whew, you guys had me worried when I saw the topic of this post. I'm glad you're talking about motor pieces parts >>


yeah UtahRancherRider, &quot;Rod failure? Who has had it? Read this post!&quot; I was getting ready to post &quot;never had a rod failure but when/if I ever do I'll be sure to see my doctor and get some Spam wordSpam word Spam wordSpam word Spam wordSpam word Spam wordSpam word Spam wordSpam word Spam wordSpam word &quot;.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Usualy rods turn blue from oil starvation or when the engine just gets really hot in general. This is what I have noticed from my experiences anyway. I noticed the rod on my X had a little blue towards the base of it when I put the 300 kit in it. It didn't look like anything to worry about though.

 

I lost a wrist pin/upper rod on my (dont laugh) Big Red when pulling a load of gravel up a steep long hill while floored in 2nd low range for hours on end in 100 degree heat. I was running havoline so that was my problem, but the rod and wrist pin were very blue.

 

I lost a rod due to an oil pump relief valve stuck open, BUT when I went to change the rod was suggested away from Hot rod also. I had Phil @ Crankworks change it over to a Carrillo. This is the best rod on the mark hands down...but the price reflects it. If you are running 13:1 I would go with the Carrillo especially since you already had a failure. I ran Carrillo rods in 750 HP sprint car engines for years never had a blown motor due to rod failure.

I had to make a race when this happened and sent my crank to AZ on a tuesday and had it at my house ON A THURSDAY!!! I next day aired it to him and he got it Wed. morning, completed the job and sent it back out Wed evening next day to me. THAT IS SERVICE!!! He definatley will help out the racer.