I would like advise on side clearance when aluminum rods are replaced with stock steel 7/16 bolt dimpled ones. I had .030 side clearance measured in the middle of the two alum ones and now have .035+ between the steel ones. The motor is a 396 with floating pin 2242 trw pistons. Of course the steel rods have been bushed and drilled for floating pins also and spiral retainers.
This is the motor I crashed last year and figured while I was there, to replace the three year old and possibly tired SuperRods with ones I can forget about. I bought the motor this way and never planned on running alum rods in the first place but they seemed to behave just fine, so far. The motor turns 7400 with a 12 gear in my LaveyCraft and so far keeps close to the bigger inch motors. Now I am settling down and dont care about revs that high but want a strong bottom end. Will this increased gap cause problems for a circle race boat or occasional ski boat? Appreciate the help....