Skirted Blocks have been the norm on high HP designs since the early 60s, (the 426 Hemi, the Single Overhead Cam 427 Ford). Lots of Mac's stuff was assuming skirted blocks based on what he told me when he was alive. RIP Mac.
The 427 Ford Blocks were were designed to still be alive after 48 hours of racing (Le Mans) program. Same deal with the NASCAR 426 Hemi Blocks.
But it it really needed at the HP levels that 99.999 of the owners run at. NO.
Would it be a good idea to have a skirted block on a 7 mile Salt Flats run? For sure.
Same deal if you had a Pontiac engine running in a "River Rat" fishing craft to be unique, but there are better alternatives.
Herb Adams had an Aluminum Oil Pan that somewhat acted like a Skirted Block with keeping the crankcase side was better supported. Pan is a heavy sucker. As was posted the BAE Blocks and the Noonan Blocks are far superior. I give KRE a ton of credit for doing a Billet Block.
Tom V.
Marty will be running a $$$,$$$ Noonan Block in his New Car.
https://noonanrace.com/pages/4-9-bor...engine-package