I tore into a Hencho En Mexico block that I plan to mess with a little bit and saw an X cast into the rods. Does this mean anything? Thank you and sorry if this is a dumbass question.

PS There is a strip underneath the regular place for the casting number that has some numbers printed on it. What is this? It looks to be aluminum and just stuck on there. It's where the bellhousing bolts on.

probably a reman engine- the aluminum plate has the engine "serial number" put there by the rebuilder.
i don't know about the rods, tho.

Thank you for the reply, yes this engine is a remanufactured, from O'Rieleys. The number on the block says it was originally a GM Performance Parts 350 or Targetmaster. That makes sense.
Does anyone know what you can tell from this tag, if anything? Thanks guys....Mac

What if anything about these X rods.

My engine also has the x-rods. I once heard that these were truck rods but I am not really sure if that is it. I am interested to see if anyone else has some info.

I think they are just run-of-the-mill heavy duty GM rods. They were common in 1970's heavy duty 350's. They're a decent rod, but by the time you properly recondition them you will have as much (if not more) into them then a set of new aftermarket Scat or Eagle rods. If you are just doing a shade-tree rebuild they are fine.

"X" rods were sought after back in the day, along with "O" rods. Some people mistakenly call them "Pink" rods, but pink rods are actually different. I never saw any physical difference between them and a normal stocker.

Usually that plate will have the overbore of the cylinders and under size of the rod and main journals stamped on it if you look close..

pdq67

Thanks, some of the rod's aren't X rod's, I looked closer today. I guess I might buy a set of rod's to go on the pistons I plan on putting in there.

mac,
Just thought I would clarify for all. The older "x" rods were the heavier castings and might have been a bit better rod, but ... the "new" "x" rods are pretty thin late model rods used in everything from 305's on up. The best way to check is to measure the thickness of the rod about half way up the rod. Measure it from front to back as it sits in the engine. The "good" rods will measure about .560" the "thin" ones are closer to .500"

In this day and age, unless you are doing a totally stock rebuild, it makes no sense to use factory rods. By the time you buy a good set of bolts and have them resized you will spend as much as you will on a new set of Scat or Eagle I beams.

What Bill is saying is that it's like using a '55, 265 or a later "skinny" 305 rod instead of a good 350 rod!!

So it is just cheaper to go aftermarket after you figure in the rebuild costs of the 350 rods!

Right Bill...

pdq67

I guess I'll bite the bullet and buy a set of aftermarket rods to hang my pistons on. Thanks for the help guys., Mac