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As I was sorting through some of the tech articles I pulled out this weekend, I came across an article about the best 460 parts. Of course I know abou the 4 bolt main CJ blocks, but the article stated that '78-'79 truck blocks also has 4 bolt mains, anyone know if there is truth to this? I doubt it right now, there's way too many of these motors out there for this to be the first time I've heard this.
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CWagner
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205.242.224.108 4 bolt blocks?
No score for this post November 3 2000, 9:17 PM
The only place I have ever read that late truck blocks were 4 bolt main was in Ford High Performance engine parts interchange by George Reid, a book with more than its share of mistakes. One of the best is on page 45. He has 2 pictures of what he claims are Boss 302 heads. One is a 429 head, the other a 351C head. Don't beleive all you read. I've never run into a 4 bolt block tearing down truck engines. Good Luck.
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RJP
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205.188.197.41 Do your own 4 bolt caps
No score for this post November 5 2000, 10:14 AM
If you need a 4 bolt block, why not do your own? It isn't that tough. I've done 2 blocks, one a machined web block and the other a cast web block. For the machined web block I used steel caps from Batten, Mi. and the cast web block I used steel caps from Pro-Gram. These are the 18 deg. splayed bolt caps, the outer bolts go into the strongest part of the block close to the pan rail. These blocks are strong enough without 4 bolt caps, make sure you really need it before you go to all this expense and trouble. If you are running a blower, turbocharger set-up, lots of N0S or a big stroker [above 530"] or you plan on running it in a boat at high rpms, you may need a 4 bolt block.
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Chris C
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205.188.197.153 4 bolt
No score for this post November 6 2000, 8:18 AM
I have read that the 385's are easily updated. I also hear that it's not really necessary until you're into the 700hp range. The question was more out of curiousity, one day I would like to do a 557ci stroker, I'll probably go with a main cap girdle. Only snag is there may be clearance issues with the rod bolts, but it's well in the future so I'm not going to lose any sleep right now.
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RJP
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152.163.207.69 I did it for peace of mind
No score for this post November 6 2000, 11:57 AM
Both 4 bolt blocks I did are in V-drive/flatbottom boats, the splayed cap engine is a twin turbocharged/intercooled 466" engine and the inline bolt cap is a 514" engine 12.75 to 1 comp. with aluminum heads. Both engines see 7000+ rpms. The old turbo engine was a 2 bolt block with studs, I never had any lower end or bearing problems but I feel a bit more confident when I bury the throttle. I wouldn't waste the money if its a street engine.
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Chris C
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208.6.240.153 Thanks
No score for this post November 6 2000, 12:23 PM
Good point, I would build it to be taken to the strip every once in a while but it definitely won't be built to turn those kinds of rpm. The 557 buildup I saw produced 630hp so I'm still thinking about the main girdle, cheap insurance for $150.
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CWagner
(no login)
205.242.224.108 4 bolt blocks?
No score for this post November 3 2000, 9:17 PM
The only place I have ever read that late truck blocks were 4 bolt main was in Ford High Performance engine parts interchange by George Reid, a book with more than its share of mistakes. One of the best is on page 45. He has 2 pictures of what he claims are Boss 302 heads. One is a 429 head, the other a 351C head. Don't beleive all you read. I've never run into a 4 bolt block tearing down truck engines. Good Luck.
Score 1 2 3 4 5 (5=Excellent) Edit Message Delete Message Lock Thread Respond to this message
RJP
(no login)
205.188.197.41 Do your own 4 bolt caps
No score for this post November 5 2000, 10:14 AM
If you need a 4 bolt block, why not do your own? It isn't that tough. I've done 2 blocks, one a machined web block and the other a cast web block. For the machined web block I used steel caps from Batten, Mi. and the cast web block I used steel caps from Pro-Gram. These are the 18 deg. splayed bolt caps, the outer bolts go into the strongest part of the block close to the pan rail. These blocks are strong enough without 4 bolt caps, make sure you really need it before you go to all this expense and trouble. If you are running a blower, turbocharger set-up, lots of N0S or a big stroker [above 530"] or you plan on running it in a boat at high rpms, you may need a 4 bolt block.
Score 1 2 3 4 5 (5=Excellent) Edit Message Delete Message Lock Thread Respond to this message
Chris C
(no login)
205.188.197.153 4 bolt
No score for this post November 6 2000, 8:18 AM
I have read that the 385's are easily updated. I also hear that it's not really necessary until you're into the 700hp range. The question was more out of curiousity, one day I would like to do a 557ci stroker, I'll probably go with a main cap girdle. Only snag is there may be clearance issues with the rod bolts, but it's well in the future so I'm not going to lose any sleep right now.
Score 1 2 3 4 5 (5=Excellent) Edit Message Delete Message Lock Thread Respond to this message
RJP
(no login)
152.163.207.69 I did it for peace of mind
No score for this post November 6 2000, 11:57 AM
Both 4 bolt blocks I did are in V-drive/flatbottom boats, the splayed cap engine is a twin turbocharged/intercooled 466" engine and the inline bolt cap is a 514" engine 12.75 to 1 comp. with aluminum heads. Both engines see 7000+ rpms. The old turbo engine was a 2 bolt block with studs, I never had any lower end or bearing problems but I feel a bit more confident when I bury the throttle. I wouldn't waste the money if its a street engine.
Score 1 2 3 4 5 (5=Excellent) Edit Message Delete Message Lock Thread Respond to this message
Chris C
(no login)
208.6.240.153 Thanks
No score for this post November 6 2000, 12:23 PM
Good point, I would build it to be taken to the strip every once in a while but it definitely won't be built to turn those kinds of rpm. The 557 buildup I saw produced 630hp so I'm still thinking about the main girdle, cheap insurance for $150.
