rod bearing failures cyl.3 at windsors

[69Stang]

I had two windsor engines. One 377 and one 408 cui. Both broke about the rod bearing at cylinder 3.
Did anyone make the same experience and/or had an idea of the reason?

[racer7088]

What kind of crank? What oil hole clocking? What rods? What clearances? I haven't seen any 351W oiling problems myself but I've heard stuff from a lot of the other circle track people in the beginning when the Windsor started seeing more action with the N351 heads in NASCAR Late Model. We have used SCAT and even Eagle cross drilled cranks in circle track with no problems. We only run about 45 psi oil pressure right now and the bearings look new when we freshen the engines later. These are actually Windsor mains as well at 3.000 inches. The Cleveland 2.750 spacers seem to make more power and add a little reliability since they have the bigger oil channel built in to the spacers and they do reduce bearing speed some. The stock 351 has huge mains which is a problem with high duty cycle use like open track or circle track but that's more of a power drain than anything else plus the crank is truly an anchor. That's why I like street racing windsors BIG to slow the engine down!