17-01-2020, 06:43 PM
Malcolm, yes, Reliant rods are approx. 1/8" longer than Austin rods.
With respect, I agree that the plate itself contributes to leaks, mainly as it necessitates an additional joint face; but while it may look neater I doubt a laser cut spacer will leak significantly less than a carefully hand made part.
My guess would be that switching to a Reliant block will cause you more trouble than it's worth, I'd spend the effort making the joint as sound as I could manage.
Subsequent to the 10,000 mile record attempt in the late 70's, Chris Gould ran his Reliant crank car on Ruby con rods modified to reproduce the offset of the Reliant rods, I believe they are still in the car today (n.b. for the record attempt itself custom rods were made by Paul Bonewell). If that's a direction you'd like to consider I have some info on how Chris went about the modification. However the Reliant rods are very sturdy by comparison and for my money an oil leak is the least of the potential worries.
Plus I rather suspect you may spend a lot of time and money and find whatever you have done still leaks!
With respect, I agree that the plate itself contributes to leaks, mainly as it necessitates an additional joint face; but while it may look neater I doubt a laser cut spacer will leak significantly less than a carefully hand made part.
My guess would be that switching to a Reliant block will cause you more trouble than it's worth, I'd spend the effort making the joint as sound as I could manage.
Subsequent to the 10,000 mile record attempt in the late 70's, Chris Gould ran his Reliant crank car on Ruby con rods modified to reproduce the offset of the Reliant rods, I believe they are still in the car today (n.b. for the record attempt itself custom rods were made by Paul Bonewell). If that's a direction you'd like to consider I have some info on how Chris went about the modification. However the Reliant rods are very sturdy by comparison and for my money an oil leak is the least of the potential worries.
Plus I rather suspect you may spend a lot of time and money and find whatever you have done still leaks!