caps or girdle????

[hipsi2fly]

well, i just purchased all 4 caps from another member on the board. i was using the rjc girdle when the crank broke on my last motor. i am trying to decide which to use so, i am looking for opinion to help me out i have both of them, so $$$$ isnt a ?(for the initial purchase) i know i gotta fork out some cash for the line bore on the caps,and i would also have to go to arp to get a bolt kit for the girdle which isnt cheap either! sooooooo lemme know your thoughts or experiences---------this buildup is a 109 block w/ 500 rwhp--give or take a few...

 

[87gnNV]

Hey why not go over kill and do both? You have the parts.

 

[broke1]

I agree with the overkill route. If I had it to do over I would put a girdle on mine.If mine breaks its time for a TA alum shortblock

 

[twin 93 svt]

Caps and a steel crank. and I'm hoping to find enough in the couch cushions after the hollidays for the TA block..

 

[toofastforyou]

Reply to hipsi2fly...

Hipsi2fly, I would use the caps only, because even though the girdle isn't bad, it has a tendancy to always leak oil!....Just an opinion though....

'bye...

Claude .

 

[49-blues]

Whats the average price difference from doing caps with a line bore versus doing the girdle?

 

[hipsi2fly]

i thought of using both but have been told buy a few the caps were more than enough (all 4) and your right the girdle does leak weve tried everything and its a pain b/c the damn studs always break or pull out...

 

[1000MileStylez]

rather leak oil then break the crank

Use the caps and girdle, thats what im going with. do it right the first time and never look back!

HTH

 

[The Pro]

I've had both, and I can tell you with certainty on a stock block it isn't worth squat IMHO. Steel caps and a good crank is all you need. You can change bearings and inspect things quite easily without the girdle, whereas with the girdle it's a little more "tricky".

I pulled that unit off of my 109 block and haven't looked back. I am not talking down the quality of the girdle; I'm speaking of the frustrations I've experienced as a result of having it installed.

I guess to sum it all up the 109 block will do fine with caps, a crank, and the proper machine work for all of the above.

 

[gndrager]

before i put my girdle on i had a small groove cut all around with cnc machine and put some sylicone on it not one drop of oil on the floor,

 

[salvageV6]

Do they normally leak at the block or the pan surface? Or both?

 

[gndrager]

they usualy leak on the block part

 

[tazgn]

I'v ehad my girdle in and out at least 6 times and it has never leaked. The DAMN studs for the pan rail have broken off though, and they cost almost $100 a piece to have them machined out!!! But I think it's a hit or miss thing as far as the girdle leaking. Maybe I have the blessed one that doesn't leak. Who knows......

Derrick

 

[Wht87T]

tazgn

Well if your looking to make around 500hp, I did it with the stock caps and crank. The car made 505RWHP... guess I've just been lucky. I went with just a girdle on the new block... only difference is that I have a steel crank. Seems to me like just personal preference.

 

[Razor]

Did the crank break due to a girdle issue, or just becusae the snot had been beaten out of it?

I'd do a STD STD new crank and caps if I had the choice.

 

[PhilM]

We came up wit a way that the girdle doesnt leak at all. If your interested in the changes required, lemme know. This method i have also increases stregnth. of mains and skirt.

 

[cool 84]

I ran a girdle for 3 years with no leaks. Just used black RTV and it sealed just fine.

 

[6APPEAL]

PhilM, I would be interested in the changes you made since I am running center caps and a girdle. No oil problems yet (fingers crossed). Send me an e-mail. TIA

 

[PhilM]

My technique is similar to gndrager's except we mill off caps and skirt surfaces. you want the "o-ring" type groove to hold the silione, though.

 

[PhilM]

To see my changes and other engine stuff, check out my site at:

My Website

warning though: the site is still pretty crappy.