[Dragncar]

When Dan did my block with splayed caps you can see he used much larger dowels on the thrust and the front cap which was also billet.
I should have taken a picture of them but I could not ask him about it since he died before I had it send to me.

I want to thank Greg Getchnut. I am sure I messed his name all up but the long timers should remember him.
He had a 72-73 Ventura that was pretty fast. High Ports ?
Anyway I did not know him be he is the one who took the time to get my block and ship it to me.
Pontiac folks are pretty cool.

[Johnny406]

Here's a picture of my 428 block with the longer Precision Automotive Specialists dowel pins. I thought I had a picture handy with the caps on, I'll keep looking.

[Tim Corcoran]

I just ordered a set of those dowel pins waiting to get them delivered.

[LMSRACER]

I make the longer "Steel Alloy" Main and Cylinder Head Dowel Pins.

The Main Cap Dowel Pins are 0.30968" +/- 0.0000025" in diameter. They are 1.00" +/- 0.0025" in Length. They are Centerless Ground and Radiused on both Ends.

The Cylinder Head Dowel Pins are 0.30968" +/- 0.0000025" in diameter. Although, these Dowel Pins are 0.6875" in Length +/- 0.0025". They are also Radiused on both Ends.

The Factory Dowel Pins are soft, Mild Steel. Don't believe that, see what happens to the diameter of the Dowel Pin when you tighten down a Dowel Pin Extractor over the Dowel Pin.

My Dowel Pins are a Steel Alloy Pin manufactured in the USA that I modify to the correct dimension.

With that being said, if you believe that the Hardest Possible Dowel Pin is the best, I believe that you are mistaken. Be aware that excessively hardened Dowel Pins can snap off in the Block.

Another thing to consider, and the reason that I started making longer Dowel Pins that are somewhat harder than Factory Dowel Pins, is that I found that not only did the Main Cap wear, but so did the Dowel Pin. So to me, the logical fix, was to utilize a harder Dowel Pin and then to intersect or engage an unused portion of the Main Cap.

I've sold approximately 1,000 Dowel Pins in 15 Years with Zero Complaints.

Please be aware that an Align Hone should be performed whenever you install these Pins or Main Studs for that matter.

Hope this helps,
Laurence Snyder

[Tim Corcoran]

I ordered 1 inch long by .30968 O.D. dowls pins from Precision Automotive. They measured exactly the same as the factory dowels I removed. They are perfect, a nice press fit in the block and a slip fit in the caps. Only problem I had was when I was getting ready to install the rear main cap this is what I found. See photo

Fortunately for me Paul K is sending me a replacement cap.