sometimes I forget to explain the basics

[grumpyvette]

I was asked," whats the differance between 2,4, and a splayed bolt block"

 

 

on a normal chevy engine with 4 bolt main caps the caps look like this, notice the front cap is a two bolt main cap which is normal even on four bolt block where all the other caps have four bolts

 

 

on a two bolt block all the caps look like the front cap like this block below

 

racing blocks have SPLAYED 4 bolt main caps like this

which are even stronger

 

BTW you can CONVERT standard two bolt blocks to SPLAYED 4 bolt with a KIT and a MACHINE SHOP to REFIT AND HONE THE MAIN CAPS

theres MILLIONS of guys running 350 two bolt blocks with few problems, if your block has only two bolt caps you have two options, you can add ARP studs if you want to increase the caps holding strength about 30%-50% or you can convert that two bolt block to splayed 4 bolt caps if your really concerned , but unless your over about 450hp I would not be even slightly worried

http://www.flatlanderracing.com/callies_maincaps.html

http://www.flatlanderracing.com/maincaps_oliver.html

ARP ,two bolt main cap bolts will work ok at the 450hp level

but heres some splayed caps, if your interested,

be aware that your going to spend between $400-$550 in most machine shops by the time you figure on the $200 for the caps themselfs and added to the machine work expense, to get them correctly installed on a 2 bolt block,in your case its more than likely wasted money, but if you feel better knowing they are there...... well all I can say is I bite the bullet and get them installed simply because with everyones plans changing over time and a shot of nitrous as a future option in most high performance engines they add a good deal of strength

this is a great example of project cost creap, yes youll more than likely NEVER use the extra strength, and yes its more than likely wasted money, but many of us just look at it and say, hell, its a good investment in the bottom end strength... and Ill feel better knowing their there!, the money would be better spent in almost every case on better quality rods in most cases simply because rods and rod bolts fail far more often than caps do! its insane in most cases to go to the expense of splayed caps on the block if your still running stock connecting rods, invest in good quality (H) style rods with 7/16" ARP rod bolts and a STEEL CRANK before worrying about SPLAYED MAIN CAPS

 

http://www.racenet.net/eng/arp-main-studs.php

HERE the STUDS that should be used to replace the stock main cap bolts, they ate far stronger, ... don,t forget a good MILODON windage screen and a high volume oil pan, they are very important to insuring long engine life at high rpm levels

 

theres more info here

 

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com

[z-REX]

grumpy...

 

have you ever considered writing a book on engine building? if not, please take me absolutely seriously when i say you should!

[Guest Aaron]

grumpy...

 

have you ever considered writing a book on engine building? if not' date=' please take me absolutely seriously when i say you should![/quote']

 

I'd buy it.

 

Wait, maybe he already has, he is always pushing those David Visard books, maybe that is his real name.