[GTOLou]

How important are billet caps for the front and rear cap?

Most sets are sold w/ the three middle caps together and front and rear sold individually. The front caps aren't too bad, but as you guys know, the rear large main cap/billet is $$$. Looking at the proform caps.

Reason why I ask is that the cost for align bore and hone doesnt' really change w/ the number of caps you add - price is fixed. There is a drill/tap cost for the splayed outer bolts/fasteners for the middle three.



Sooo, would say adding the three splayed caps AND JUST the front cap offer and advantage over just the three in the middle and keeping the cast front/rear?

hope this makes sense - and I've got an IAII block in my strip car (I know that is best option for a 4.5 stroke motor). This is for a 4.5 stroker project that I'd "like" to build - mainly in a street car....kinda a sleeper if you will.

[russ467]

Where do you run your strip car? Greer, Ware Shoals?

[GTOLou]

Used to race Ware Shoals several times/year. Haven't been in over a year.

Last couple of trips were at Commerce, GA. Nothing serious. Got a buddy who races a blown mustang GT - we grudge race...

[russ467]

Cool. Building a new 535 and will be heading out soon after its done.
The new track in Union will probably become home base for me.
Need to come down sometime.

[440GP69]

IMO billit front and rear isn't worth it the billit rear cap is almost 300$ and just hope you can get the rear main seal to seal :-) Spend the extra coin on the very best Machine work!
I believe 2-3-4 are the important caps, Plus the whole main reason your going billit is because they are splayed and thats where the strength comes from, not much room for splayed front and rear main caps anyhow
In fact id personally use a splayed nodular cap if there was an offering over a billit but don't get me started LOL fwiw

[misterp266]

I got the front cap when I put my splayed center caps in only because I'm running a blower. NA I probably wouldn't bother with the front one. I see no need for a rear cap at all.

[GTOLou]

Thanks all - the proform fronts are like 85 bucks. Not too much, has to be bored/honed anyway because of the center three - but I won't bother it is doesn't help much.


I've got a seemingly good machine shop (HO428 told me about em).

Besides new dowel pins, any OTHER tips. Are there issues w/ the proforms and the thrust cap/main bearing??

[BruceWilkie]

Originally Posted by 440GP69

IMO billit front and rear isn't worth it the billit rear cap is almost 300$ and just hope you can get the rear main seal to seal :-) Spend the extra coin on the very best Machine work!
I believe 2-3-4 are the important caps, Plus the whole main reason your going billit is because they are splayed and thats where the strength comes from, not much room for splayed front and rear main caps anyhow
In fact id personally use a splayed nodular cap if there was an offering over a billit but don't get me started LOL fwiw

X2 on nodular cap. Milodon "could" but hasnt done them for us splayed like they do for the other brands! Actually could probably use same raw piece as 460 Ford before they drill/machine them!

Milodon (nodular steel iirc) Ford 460 4 bolt splayed for 2 bolt block ALMOST could fit with mods but bolt spread off just a tid. (When I first checked I thought I'd get lucky but correcting bolt locations anyway you do it would get labor intensive $$ plus cap would need step shaved off before line bore,(or step Pontiac block $$$) more $$ plus price of cap too.) Billet steel at fair price looks better at that point even if not as good as nodular could be. Still quite an improvement overall.

Early 389 caps are taller at bolt shoulder and center outer height(@1/4") 1-4, and considerably beefier than 400 caps. Dont know if all 389's but sure on 59's and 60's both 2 and straight 4 bolt caps are pretty beefy and fit a 400 block. #1 caps on these early 389's is same size as #2 caps vs 400's with smaller front cap than #2. My #1 and #5 stay for sure!
If I was going NA the 2 bolt caps on my 59 would stay as well, just get studded.

Hmmm what else has 3" or 3.25" (or close dimension) mains??

Derek glad to see you are alive, its been awhile since I've seen you post. You must be busy!