[taff2]

The girdle I originally made has easily held up to around a 1000hp on a factory '59 389 block, and after a strip and inspection all the bearings were good. It was never pushed as hard as planned because I had a freeze crack in the front of the block (my fault, I forgot to put antifreeze in for the winter). My girdle emulated a cross bolted block, it tied into the pan rails -which meant a large and deep fabbed oil pan.
This early block would probably have held a 1000 horse anyway, mods included fully welded up valley, taller main cap dowels, 3/4 fill, dry decked, reverse cooled etc etc.
I repaired the block and had it bored/honed to 4.125" with the intention of using it again, but I came across another '59 virgin 389 block so I'm going to start the process all over again. (I want to keep the bore walls as thick as possible - 4.090" bore size) The new design girdle will be stronger than the old one, with approx 3" tall x 1 -1/4" thick side rails and a 1" thick full halo top plate, including all ARP studs etc. The new shallow oil pan will sit on top of the girdle
I'm also going to TIG braze the lifter valley re-inforcement plates in this time - the previous welding on the last block distorted the lifter bores enough that I had to ream/hone them to .875" Ford size lifters. This time I'm hoping to push the power to around 1400 hp and time will tell if it holds up as expected.
Two pics of the old girdle and one of the new steel valley reinforcing plates

[charlie66]

Originally Posted by taff2

The girdle I originally made has easily held up to around a 1000hp on a factory '59 389 block, and after a strip and inspection all the bearings were good. It was never pushed as hard as planned because I had a freeze crack in the front of the block (my fault, I forgot to put antifreeze in for the winter). My girdle emulated a cross bolted block, it tied into the pan rails -which meant a large and deep fabbed oil pan.
This early block would probably have held a 1000 horse anyway, mods included fully welded up valley, taller main cap dowels, 3/4 fill, dry decked, reverse cooled etc etc.
I repaired the block and had it bored/honed to 4.125" with the intention of using it again, but I came across another '59 virgin 389 block so I'm going to start the process all over again. (I want to keep the bore walls as thick as possible - 4.090" bore size) The new design girdle will be stronger than the old one, with approx 3" tall x 1 -1/4" thick side rails and a 1" thick full halo top plate, including all ARP studs etc. The new shallow oil pan will sit on top of the girdle
I'm also going to TIG braze the lifter valley re-inforcement plates in this time - the previous welding on the last block distorted the lifter bores enough that I had to ream/hone them to .875" Ford size lifters. This time I'm hoping to push the power to around 1400 hp and time will tell if it holds up as expected.
Two pics of the old girdle and one of the new steel valley reinforcing plates

Can you tell me what the holes drilled just below the deck in the front and on the side of the block are for? You really put alot of thought into this block with your mods. I like what you're doing with it..

[lemans411]

Originally Posted by TheGrudge

I was looking pretty hard for one of these a couple years back. I remember trying to find the Mondello piece but getting nowhere. I bought Paul Spotts’ windage tray which is kinda like a “mini girdle”. Thought I scoured the forum pretty thoroughly - must have missed this thread, or maybe thought it was a dead end. CT - are you still able to make these?
Thanks AIR RAM for asking - kinda seems the logical thing to have done

I believe I have the only mondello pontiac girdle they ever made.

[charlie66]

Originally Posted by lemans411

I believe I have the only mondello pontiac girdle they ever made.

Now that is the way to go!

Very nice !

[Johnny406]

Originally Posted by lemans411

I believe I have the only mondello pontiac girdle they ever made.

Now that is gee-whiz!!

[Dragncar]

Originally Posted by lemans411

I believe I have the only mondello pontiac girdle they ever made.

All one piece ? Aluminum caps ? How much power have you made with it ?

[Chipped Tooth]

I'm surprised the aftermarket hasn't made an extended skirt block for Pontiac yet.

It's clearly the way to go for high HP applications.

Main reason I decided to make the Halo style was the LS stuff was coming fast and trying to compete with a Fox Mustangs with a 4.8-5.3 junk yard engine running high 8s my poor Pontiac needed all the help it could get!

[AIR RAM]

Originally Posted by lemans411

I believe I have the only mondello pontiac girdle they ever made.

Sweet Jesus! How much do you want for it?

SPEED SAFE, NICK

[taff2]

Charlie, the holes are for the coolant transfer from head to block with the reverse cooling system and dry decks.
Yes, I would like a fully machined one piece girdle like the one pictured-preferably in steel or iron, though it would necessitate a line bore.
I also don't see why the aftermarket couldn't cast and machine a one piece girdle for our stock blocks, it would probably even benefit the aftermarket blocks. KRE would seem to be the only guys with the casting/machining capability to do this.

[lemans411]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

All one piece ? Aluminum caps ? How much power have you made with it ?

Engine is done. Still building the chassis. Shooting for 2,000+hp