Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

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Matt in California
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Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Matt in California » Wed Jan 22, 2020 12:24 am

I came across these and would love any insight that you may have.
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Matt


Kohnke Rebabbitting
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Kohnke Rebabbitting » Wed Jan 22, 2020 1:21 am

I sent one to Dan McEachern, to look at years ago. Maybe he will chime in here?

Herm.


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Mike Penserini » Wed Jan 22, 2020 3:33 am

I had and sold some of the same rods years ago, they came from Townsend Automotive. I still have a photo of the paperwork Townsend sent with them.
fullsizeoutput_1c8.jpeg


Les Schubert
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Les Schubert » Wed Jan 22, 2020 7:18 am

I have a set as well. They are designed for using a A crank in a T block with T pistons.
I believe that pressure filtered oil is essential as babbitting aluminum is a bit of a challenge.
Not impossible, just a challenge


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Scott_Conger » Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:02 am

They're a great curiosity. I'd put them on the shelf. Those go back to a time before CNC machining. Machined rods from billet aluminum would be far better. And they're available.

There is a reason every critical casting in Aerospace gets X-Rayed and a test coupon comes with them. Those may be wonderful, but given all of the better choices today, I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them.
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Les Schubert
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Les Schubert » Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:29 am

Aluminum rods;
I have a mid ‘20’s Scripps 330 cu in 6 cylinder 125 HP marine engine. They use cast aluminum rods and in conversations with others have never heard of a rod failure.
I guess it just depends how much HP you are going for perhaps. 60hp should probably be OK!!


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Scott_Conger » Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:45 am

Les, this is not to pick a argument, but are you sure they are cast and not forged? That would be all the difference in the world. My concern is not with the material, but the manufacture of it.
Scott Conger

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Scott_Conger
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Scott_Conger » Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:52 am

And some quick research shows that aluminum rods in the early days was Lynite, and was indeed drop-forged: https://books.google.com/books?id=mxlQA ... od&f=false as an example of period text.
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves
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Matt in California
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Matt in California » Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:11 pm

Wow! Thanks for all the information! This is definitely beyond my skill and tooling.

I will have to see where I can find a home for it.

Matt


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Les Schubert » Thu Jan 23, 2020 5:57 am

Scott
I have NO idea where you are getting your position about the drop forging bit. LYNITE is a trademarked product from a aluminum casting company for a alloy containing 10% copper and a bit of magnesium and iron.
Looking at the Scripps rods and other Lynite items there is NO indication that they are forged!


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:07 pm

Les

I am not sure why my link above did not go to the right place, but it indeed does not. I hope this link will go to the right place (at least I've tried it independently and it does). In 1920 Aluminum Manufacturers, Inc., formerly Aluminum Castings Co., was hoping to introduce Lynite forgings into wide accepance in automotive use. I of course am not looking at the parts you have looked at and am not attempting to argue with you, though you appear to be taking this personally somehow, at least that is the feeling I get from your text. All of your boat motor parts may be indeed cast aluminum. Or some of them. Or whatever. I don't know and simply asked if you were sure. Apparently you are.

Knowing what we know now regarding materials, and knowing that the only sure way to ensure a homogeneous and defect-free casting is through NDT x-ray inspection, I would never consider using modern cast aluminum of an unknown alloy or quality as a connecting rod. That is my opinion, and it does no one any good to become angry with me for my opinion. As to what I have attempted to post earlier, and hopefully have successfully posted now, I am simply trying to impart some additional information from impartial and proven sources.

Hopefully this will link to the 1920 trade magazine correctly

https://books.google.com/books?id=UsonA ... um&f=false

In 1921, in Motorboating Trade magazine, forged Lynite rods are discussed: https://books.google.com/books?id=zAQ0A ... f=falseAnd

later, from 1930 Motorboating Trade magazine (later than we are talking about by a bit, but also describes forged Lynite: https://books.google.com/books?id=1L7Ib ... um&f=false

So apparently, Aluminum Manufacturers, Inc., (or someone) successfully developed a forging process for Lynite as evidenced by this article 1 and 10 years later.

All of this is meant in a spirit of imparting information and not meant as a personal attack.
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Henry K. Lee » Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:31 pm

Scott and Les,

Thank You for the information and enlightenment!

All the Best,

Hank in Tin-A-See


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Dan McEachern » Thu Jan 23, 2020 10:53 pm

A very well known and highly regarded T speedster builder once upon a time thought it would be an interesting experiment to put a set of Lynite rods in one of his speedsters. Another fell known fellow who is known to regularly drive a bright yellow racing machine, purchased said speedster with the Lynite rods. Needless to mention, as it should be no surprise that said speedster needed a new cylinder block fitted in short order.

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Matt in California
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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Matt in California » Sat Jan 25, 2020 2:06 am

Anyone know when these Townsend Automotive rods were made?

Matt


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Re: Information Requested: custom aluminum cast rods speed assessory

Post by Les Schubert » Sat Jan 25, 2020 10:07 am

They were available in the ‘90’s. Townsend also offered Bronze main caps for A crank conversions and also block extension castings for these conversions.
I guess if you go back through old Vintage Ford magazines you can get a more exact time frame

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