Let me put one more thing out there, especially regarding rods:

If you don't buy the American product, there is no incentive for American company's to make make one and if you don't request additional products, there will never be any options made, to any base product that might still be made in the good old USA.

Think about it.

Frank, no doubt.  Are you going to run only USA made and sourced parts for the ones you are working on?  A lot of aluminum from the middle east, TRW stuff in India and South America, bearings from all over the place. 

In theory, I agree, but I (and sounds like Brent too) draw the line at hijacked patents because it's nearly impossible to avoid China completely.  I don't like that part either, but there is a breaking point, and that's mine

BTW, besides Crower still making rods, Carillo and Oliver still make rods. What company hasn't copied the H beam Carrilo rods?

If you want to keep American rod manufactures in business, those are the rods that should be in quality builds.   

I think you are crossing streams. 

1 - No two rods I have seen are alike, other than close similarity to K1 and Molnar, who were business associates.  Even then, the bolt design is a bit different.  I am not buying into your claim of everyone copying.  If we want to speculate I bet we could find some old Duesenberg or some other 30's car that had an H-beam capscrew long ago.  That being said, yes, I sure would like to use all-American stuff, but we have to be realistic in what we stand for and against.

2 - As an engine builder, I cannot justify spending more than what the engine needs, I give them the option and explain off shore sourcing, but to add 400+ for rods above a Molnar (or more than that as an upgrade from SCAT I-beams) is usually a show stopper.  I would prefer to use a fully USA-made rod, but I have to accept an engine is an expense, not an investment, in fact, I have to often remind customers that, so in turn they trust and expect us to tell them when something is sub-par or overkill.  In this case, the middle is Molnar, K1, and Callies offshore (although I shy away from Callies because they are heavy).  Lesser like SCAT H-beam is very capable but heavy, I try to avoid those unless the customer has them.  Eagle....well, when you have a set machined right, they are OK but heavy too, but when you have to resize a few you get turned off quickly and cost goes up. 

3 - However, despite that, I can refuse to use parts.  Don't bring a Procomp or Speedmaster part in.  That decision can cost me if the customer leaves, and that's OK, I will be respectful and understand the position but I won't use Speedmaster stuff, both based on business practices and failures.  I also won't use highjacked stuff.  If it seems like I pick and choose, I do.  American company tasks Chinese company to build something because it's cheaper...I don't like it, but I get it.  Chinese company copies something and keeps trying until an Amercian company accepts it and badges it...different.

My opinion is this.  If you want to sit and snipe at my comments, continue, I'll keep playing

However, if you want to do a Speedmaster build and go all the way up to the Promaxx heads, 200 dollar and Speedmaster rockers, go for it.  Let us know how it runs and lasts and how much labor you had to add to the build

Additionally, you could build an all American engine with no offshore sourcing.  I'll applaud you, but it'll be a lot of money and that's a very hard decision to make on an average Joe's budget.

FWIW - I did an AI comparison of all the pictures and it came up 100% certain it was Dove and all the reasons it told me so.  It even sent me for more pictures to prove it.

Quote

Sorry for being parochial, but I still can't support a Chinese casting regardless of it being finished at home just to save a buck.  I know it's a sign of the times, but 25.5 years in the military and seeing that emboldened theft in so many ways, they won't come through my shop, even if I lost a sale (or multiple).   

I assume that also goes for Molnar rods?

Sorry Frank, I floated right by your post. It's a solid poke.

It is extremely unfortunate, and yes, looks to be speaking out of both sides of my mouth.  Add SCAT, Eagle and K1 to that mix too, and there are many more.  I hate it, I do try to avoid it when there is a US-made substitute as in this case. Not to mention, using Molnar stuff it isn't to save money either, so yet again another difference, if we had a US made alternative, I'd jump. In fact, my most recent build for myself (452 in the Cobra) runs Crower rods.

We are all forced to use some things with manufacturing in China.  My only counter is that I draw the line at known stolen designs.  That is the absolute main reason that I would kick those heads out of the shop, same with the intakes.  It doesn't make it much better, but at least the R&D costs are paid for by the manufacturer who then profits here.  The Stevens heads and whoever is making the intakes, as well as all the  Speedmaster stuff, and all the names it changed from, stole all kinds of stuff from MSD, from Parker, from Edelbrock, you name it without legal right to it.  It'd be criminal if done in the US between two US companies. 

Keep in mind the manufacturer sent a set to me and I think to Brent too, I had my chance for input.  Not interested then and not now.  Just think if Jay's intake adapter shows up for 150 bucks?  Should we buy them? Certainly not an unlikely scenario, easy when it's a company, how about if it's a friend like Jay?.

BTW I wouldn't be mean to anyone about choices they make to pay their bills, I just wouldn't do an engine if someone asked to do that top end, and man I hope some of my best customers don't ever ask

However, eventually it will fix itself, cost to entry will be too high in the US due to lower volume and nobody will do the R&D on anything that isn't high volume production, cool US made parts will stop and China won't create them on their own. 

Anyone looking for a set?  I bought these as an extra set, will flip them for what they cost.  450.00 shipped stateside

These are for 2 bolt conversions to cross bolt, or billet replacement of factory 4 bolt if cut narrower, cross bolts not drilled yet for flexibility with location and size.

Requires align boring and fitment

Steel gear, where you get it and price depends on shaft diameter.

I'll be straight with you, dude.

The SpeedMaster/ProComp/et al is junk.  And yes, it's cheap Chinese junk, just like the lifters you bought. 

I don't use their stuff, but have seen plenty of it fail:  heads can't pass a pressure test, seats need valve job, guides fall out, roller rocker arms spit out needle bearings, distributors fail.

It's cheap for a reason.  You play the game, roll the dice, and see if it works for you.

and another "I agree"

Had a set of their SBF heads come through here last week, sent them on their way.  Absolute crap

Their rockers are known to have body and adjuster failures, also crap

Of note, the guys who are all responding build LOTS of engines.  Take free advice for what you paid for it, but we know junk and avoid it.