I was wondering why you asked. If there were any "Sportsman Rods" out there they are hiding. I've been looking myself. Leo Santucci's manual showes some pics of rods that look like they might be forged steel. I contacted Leo thru a third party and the answer was they were given to him. I spoke to Mke Kirby and all he could come up with was Alm billet. Aluminum won't cut for street because they stretch. I called Crower and got an off the wall No. There are some long rods made for BOP, but their crank end is too narrow. The crank end of the 292 is 1.045-1.050 wide. I bought a copy of AERA's connecting rod manual(1998) and went through it. There are a couple of rods that are the right lenght, but they are from low compression motors so probably not a good choice. Just in case some one asks Continetal motors found in 1962 and earlier Jeeps and Hercules motors might be the same motor.

If a 7.00 long rod could be found you couls use a 283 or the 292's little brother the 230 piston. The 230 and 283 are almost flat top pistons. Otherwise it looks like the only way you will get 10.0 or better compression will be to go with a forged piston $500-600 a set.

Another consideration is how much deck clearence you have. I have .072 on my motor. I'll lose part of that when the block is surfaced, not enough. Leo says not to take off more than .030 from the block deck. A set of forged would have what ever compression height you say. I hope to get my block to the machine shop this coming month.

I've tried finding a source on the east coast from the Internet, but haven't had any luck. There seems to be some circle tracks still running 292s. If there is anything it would on the east coast.

Larry

I don't own a vehicle that isn't old enough to drink.