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Scat and Eagle connecting rods

Posted: October 8th, 2025, 7:14 am
by dwg86
I’ve noticed that the scat and eagle connecting rods don’t have squirt holes machined in them. Maybe Russ can chime in here…what do you think about that? Do you think it’s worth the money to have grooves machined in the rods? Do the shirt holes spray enough oil on the cam to make a difference? Maybe run Crower hydraulic cam savers to help with extra oil if running aftermarket con rods? If I’m not mistaken the Crower lifters are topline/hylift.

Re: Scat and Eagle connecting rods

Posted: October 9th, 2025, 12:04 am
by Cheromaniac
I've heard from an experienced engine builder that the squirt holes in the connecting rods DO help lubricate the cam and prevent premature cam lobe/lifter failure.

Re: Scat and Eagle connecting rods

Posted: October 9th, 2025, 11:47 am
by dwg86
So I guess it might be worth the money to have slots cut in the rods, or run Crower cam-saver lifters

Re: Scat and Eagle connecting rods

Posted: October 21st, 2025, 9:10 am
by Russ Pottenger
I personally don’t build many engines anymore with stock rods but in the cases when I do I take the extra effort to notch the replacement bearing so it’s able to utilize the benefits of the oil squirter in the factory connecting rod.

When not utilizing the Nitride heat treat option on the camshaft I’m now starting to upgrade to Comp Cams diamond like coated (DLC) lifter.

Hope this helps,

Russ Pottenger
Bishop-Buehl Racing Engines
531 N. Lyall Avenue
West Covina, California 91790
Work (626) 967-1000
Cell (626) 673-2203
Email: [email protected]

Re: Scat and Eagle connecting rods

Posted: October 22nd, 2025, 9:49 am
by dwg86
Russ Pottenger wrote: October 21st, 2025, 9:10 am I personally don’t build many engines anymore with stock rods but in the cases when I do I take the extra effort to notch the replacement bearing so it’s able to utilize the benefits of the oil squirter in the factory connecting rod.

When not utilizing the Nitride heat treat option on the camshaft I’m now starting to upgrade to Comp Cams diamond like coated (DLC) lifter.

Hope this helps,

Russ Pottenger
Bishop-Buehl Racing Engines
531 N. Lyall Avenue
West Covina, California 91790
Work (626) 967-1000
Cell (626) 673-2203
Email: [email protected]
Hey Russ, my question is about the aftermarket rods (scat and eagle). They don't have the oil squirter holes in the sides of the big end of the rods... Would it be worth the time and money to machine the oil holes in the scat or eagle rods?

Re: Scat and Eagle connecting rods

Posted: October 23rd, 2025, 8:50 am
by Russ Pottenger
I personally don’t think that the cost would outweigh the benefits.

My reasoning is that the obvious benefit of the squirt hole is to spray additional oil onto the camshaft and let’s say that would cost $100.00 to $150.00 to have a machine shop perform the upgrade, It would be far more beneficial in my opinion to put that money towards nitriding the camshaft.

Keep in mind that oil is exiting past the side clearance of the connecting rod and is throwing oil up onto the cylinder wall and camshaft