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supercar1of1

supercar1of1

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2004 SRT-10 Reg Cab (fastest color BLACK)#2801- # 3 Connecting Rod went Buh-Bye! :(

What is the deal with all these #3 piston/rod problems?

If it were random it would be one thing, but this kind of looks to me
like a design flaw where Dodge might need to step up to the plate.

The stock Ford rods/pistons are Mickey Mouse looking compared with
the Viper parts but are surviving some serious power levels.(and I am talking
about the regular powdered metal 5.4 stuff)

Anybody else notice this?:confused:
 
supercar1of1 said:
2004 SRT-10 Reg Cab (fastest color BLACK)#2801- # 3 Connecting Rod went Buh-Bye! :(

What is the deal with all these #3 piston/rod problems?

If it were random it would be one thing, but this kind of looks to me
like a design flaw where Dodge might need to step up to the plate.

The stock Ford rods/pistons are Mickey Mouse looking compared with
the Viper parts but are surviving some serious power levels.(and I am talking
about the regular powdered metal 5.4 stuff)

Anybody else notice this?:confused:
Click to expand...
I agree with you,there does seem to be a problem with the number three piston/rod,maybe some one else will chime in on the problem.:dontknow:
 
There have been many reports the #3 failing but usually under forced induction or nitrous. Haven't heard of it on a stock NA engine. I thinks it either an overboost or lean problem. Those who have first hand experience may chime in.
 
SilvrSRT10 said:
There have been many reports the #3 failing but usually under forced induction or nitrous. Haven't heard of it on a stock NA engine. I thinks it either an overboost or lean problem. Those who have first hand experience may chime in.
Click to expand...

There are a couple trucks on the site NA that busted #3

a combination of oiling issues, and air distribution is my opinion....
 
Mine is FI and my # 3 or #5 went not sure yet:dontknow: It would have been nice to have a data log on mine when it happend:( The way it happend is still really fishy to me:dontknow:
 
RedSrt007 said:
There are a couple trucks on the site NA that busted #3

a combination of oiling issues, and air distribution is my opinion....
Click to expand...



I am leaning toward inadeqate oil in the design. Think about it.

I have seen allot of guys get greedy and smoke a piston/rod but not the same hole.:dontknow:

There are places that can examine the parts and be able to answer what

caused the failure and I would kick in some bucks to toward the fee to find

out, just like years ago we might be able to open up an oil passage a little

some where and solve or reduce the problem.
 
I've noticed the same thing in the short time owning my truck. I have has several mustangs 5.0's, 4.6's, Cobras, and Corvettes. I would dog every one of these cars and never had a major problem. Head gaskets, trannys but thats about it. When I sold my Vette it has 108k on it and was still going strong.
After reading all these posts, I wonder if there really is a problem with the design and wonder if it is just a ticking bomb waiting to go off. From what I gather is these are stock high Hp engines where reliablity is an issue. It just seems crappy to pay 30k-50k for a new truck and know that the only way to make it last is going forged and spending another 10k-20k for a motor the way it should have been built.

Has anyone been keeping track of years, mods, etc of the motors that are giving up?
 
Last edited:
kyle's srt10 said:
Mine is FI and my # 3 or #5 went not sure yet:dontknow: It would have been nice to have a data log on mine when it happend:( The way it happend is still really fishy to me:dontknow:
Click to expand...

My #3 rod bearing went bye bye while data logging and tuning. I'll try to get the data logging info up soon.
 
SilvrSRT10 said:
There have been many reports the #3 failing but usually under forced induction or nitrous. Haven't heard of it on a stock NA engine. I thinks it either an overboost or lean problem. Those who have first hand experience may chime in.
Click to expand...

Mine is/was NA


Mods are mild IMHO:argh:

Mods:

Cold Air Intake

Mopar Long Tubes/Cat Delete/Magnaflow

KRC/SCT

South Bend Clutch- Stage 3/ Viper Slave Upgrade.

:dontknow: :dontknow:

# 3 went out...... I'll have more details as soon as I swing the wounded bullet out- (or put a few bullets into it first):(
 
I've said this before and will probably say it again...there is an oiling problem with the number three hole. Go and ask any shop that has repaired more than 10 or 12 viper engines. They learn very quickly that the oil gallys in #3 have to be machined to increase the oil flow.

The second issue is the minimum amount of metal in the piston domes. The EPA has placed stringent regulations on the auto industry and Chrysler has approached some of the issues by making the piston dome very thin. Thin metal does not stand up to the heat (especially in FI engines) very well. As you pull your stock engines down carefully look at the ring lans...in nearly every instance you will find cracks between the top lan and the piston dome.

Some of those cracks will compromise the piston, some will just cause blow-by...and blow-by will become failure sooner or later.

Just my opinion...I could be wrong...but I doubt it in this case.;)
 
Prof or Jack, would you suggest enlarging all the oiling passages to the rods, or just # 3??

Do you enlarge the oiling passage thru the crankshaft?

Are the main bearing partial groove or full groove?

Sorry for the multiple questions...
 
Way back when when the old guard was on the NFFF site, and we first started to experience this issue, John Hennessey came on and identified the issue with the # 3 rod journal.

It is an oiling issue. John would not say what his fix was, but he did say he had addressed it. He may be an asshole, and screws people over, but he's not dumb. He can build an engine if he wants to.

I'm going to question what Roy said in regard to opening up the oil passage. I cannot be certain that is the answer. You can also over oil a bearing and get bearing wash.

That was a common problem in the 60's with some guys thinking that if 60 PSI of oil pressure was good, then 100+ PSI was better.
 
I am not a builder...just a reader...so I would defer to John or Jack immediately...

But if it helps:

Call my builder...he is a super guy with lots of knowledge and worked at Arrow Racing...the place that does all of the Viper Warranty work for Dodge.

He is about to finish with my engine...next week...and is looking for his next rebuild...even if you want to do it yourself...he is a great source of knowledge:

John Edwards
JZB Engines
1320 Round Lake Road
White Lake, MI 48386

Home: (248) 363-2262

Cell: (248) 420-1564
 
Perhaps Jack can step in here with his knowledge to shed some ray of light on the question....
 
Are the Vipers suffering the same problem? Seems they would. They might have an idea about the problem.
 
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