Question about engine blocks
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Question about engine blocks So this isn't exactly an LT1 specific question, but I feel like I know half of you guys from reading your posts so often, and I feel more comfortable posting here.
I've got a bare 350 block that I want to get rid of. It came out of an early 80's Chevy truck and has 4-bolt mains, but the main caps are missing. Just posted it on craigslist and got a response from an interested person.
He asked me about the block and I gave him the details, he then told me that without the main caps the block is scrap.
That's about when my bullshit detector went off. I don't know a whole lot about building engines, but his statement doesn't really make much sense to me. I was under the impression that you could just buy new main caps and have the block align bored, good as new.
Is this guy right or full of ****?
I've got a bare 350 block that I want to get rid of. It came out of an early 80's Chevy truck and has 4-bolt mains, but the main caps are missing. Just posted it on craigslist and got a response from an interested person.
He asked me about the block and I gave him the details, he then told me that without the main caps the block is scrap.
That's about when my bullshit detector went off. I don't know a whole lot about building engines, but his statement doesn't really make much sense to me. I was under the impression that you could just buy new main caps and have the block align bored, good as new.
Is this guy right or full of ****?
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: pottsville
you have to have it line honed if you replace the caps which equals more money than its worth to the average person cause 350 blocks are a dime a dozen and the average guy doesnt need upgraded caps.
This is the same thing you just said, which is what I thought. And getting a block line honed is no big deal.
And a lot of us aren't average guys. If you're going to build a 350 (unless it's for a restoration), build it BIG and make some power. In that case, upgraded caps are a good idea.
I would have been nuts to use stock caps in my motor.
Trending Topics
You can easily rebuild a block using new caps w/out the originals. The question is if the crank is riding on its true centerline and if it isn't, how long will it last.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
Well this has been educational to say the least. I appreciate everyone's input on this one.
At this point I'm almost ready to drop the block off at the scrap yard and take my twenty bucks, but I think I'm gonna leave it posted for a bit and hope I have better luck with the next person.
It'll probably sell, seeing that I'm not asking much more than scrap value for the damn thing. Plus craigslist is free so I've really got nothing to lose.
At this point I'm almost ready to drop the block off at the scrap yard and take my twenty bucks, but I think I'm gonna leave it posted for a bit and hope I have better luck with the next person.
It'll probably sell, seeing that I'm not asking much more than scrap value for the damn thing. Plus craigslist is free so I've really got nothing to lose.
You can replace the caps. Like mentioned earlier your block would need to be line honed to make sure everything was straight. If it was me though I would look for a block with the caps.
Unless its absolutly necessary I wouldnt line hone anything. It moves the crank closer to the cam and can effect your timing.
Unless its absolutly necessary I wouldnt line hone anything. It moves the crank closer to the cam and can effect your timing.
