Just some info for you guys.
Manley I beam rods with 3/8 ARP 2000 bolts and 40172 lube (loctite heavy duty anti-seize). Manley recommends to tighten the bolts 45-50 ft/lbs in order to stretch the bolts 0.0058"-0.0062". When first i rebuild my engine about 2 years ago in order to stretch the bolts 0.006" i should tighten the bolts to 60ft/lbs, at 50ft/lbs they where stretched only about 0.004-0.005". Now I'm rebuilding again my engine and the same, 60ft/lbs to stretch the bolts enough, i double checked it with a second torque wrench just in case the first was out of calibration.
I think it's a useful information for people who don't own a stretch gauge.
Did anyone else had the same experience?

Those numbers sound right to me. This happens because the lube you use is not exactly the same as the one Manley specify, type of lube would affect a lot and the room temp would affect, too. IIRC, Manley specify about 55-65 ft/lbs with ARP lube to get the right stretch.

DSMPT said:

Those numbers sound right to me. This happens because the lube you use is not exactly the same as the one Manley specify, type of lube would affect a lot and the room temp would affect, too. IIRC, Manley specify about 55-65 ft/lbs with ARP lube to get the right stretch.

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The lube i used is exactly the one that says on the installation instructions, the one that came WITH the rods. Check the first picture. And for those bolts clearly specifies 45-50ft/lbs. Probably the difference because of the temperature... Both times was about 70-75 F.

DSMPT, you are right. The installation instructions that came with my rods are from 2010, i just found on their website that they updated the instructions at 2017 with Manley lube and updated again at 2020 with ARP lube.

mikellinos said:

DSMPT, you are right. The installation instructions that came with my rods are from 2010, i just found on their website that they updated the instructions at 2017 with Manley lube and updated again at 2020 with ARP lube.

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Glad to hear that you figured out.
If all the bolts are new and if you prepare as the manufacturer recommend, then you don't need to worry much even if the torque number to get the specific stretch number is slightly different from the instruction.

I agree. I plan on my H beams AND I beams to go to 55 ft/lbs. I tested 50 and it wasnt enuf. Crush wasn't different and I want the thing to stay together. I guess we will see tho as that is another 2 builds also going on for me.
Go by the ROD BOLT manufacturers recommendations on that, it's what I have to do since mine are second hand. ARP specs are my go to.

These rods?
I beams being on top.

Did you notice this part on the instructions?

motomattx said:

Did you notice this part on the instructions?

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Yes but wasn't any problem with the above. And the stretch was consistent for all 8 bolts.

1990TSIAWDTALON said:

These rods?
I beams being on top.

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Yes these.

The scary thought is in case that i didn't have a stretch gauge and went only by the instructions that i had in hand from 2010 the bolts wouldn't be stretched enough.. a stretch gauge is a must!
BTW 2 times I had the engine rev 10300, 10500rpm accidentally and the things stayed together, i didn't expect that from such a heavy rod.

That's why I would want my beefy rods and big wrist pins. I turn the H Beam motor to 9500 and they look great. If you have torqued as many bolts as I have, you get the feeling when you are starting to get to the limit. Really glad you got the correct values. As you may have noticed, the ARP 625+'s get a lot more torque and stretch than the 2000's.