Main cap problem

[labontecsi]

I called my machine shop guy today to check up on my motor after 5 weeks. He told me that the steel mains did not fit properly, and that was holding him up (why he didn't call me, I don't know). He said that the bolt holes don't line up in the saddle. I got the caps from Cotton, all 3 fronts. Is it possible to have a bad set, or is my engine builder slightly confused? Any info on this would help, as I want to know if I should be worried about it.

Thanks

 

[Fuelie600]

It's possible the caps are for the wrong application, but it's not likely if Jack sold them to you. Maybe the engine builder is not familiar with having to fit the caps to the block, or he may of goofed the install and isn't coming clean. Good luck, Brian

 

[Blown&Injected]

that's what I was thinking too.

 

[labontecsi]

Thanks for the replies, guys. They are definately the right caps. Someone on the other board said it was fine to elongate the hole .010-.030 to get a proper fit. Maybe the tooling is wearing out? I know the caps were on back order for a long time, and Jack had set at the shop. Maybe they were made at the end of the production run, the back order was due to retooling, or so I was told.

The builder came from a recommendation from Mike McCoy of Musclecar Salvage.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Lee Thompson]

interesting

I would go Tuesday and check on the problem. Definately don't want a half ass job on these. Been there, done that!!! Not the same problem but caps cocked. Good bye thrust bearing!!!

 

[Fuelie600]

You to Lee! Happened to the first set of caps I had installed years ago. Lost the engine during break in. T bearing crap everywhere--talk about frustrating. Brian

 

[topfuel]

I would go Tuesday and check on the problem. Definately don't want a half ass job on these. Been there, done that!!! Not the same problem but caps cocked. Good bye thrust bearing!!!

How did the caps become cocked? Poor machining or poor fitting caps?

 

[Lee Thompson]

caps

POOR POOR machine work. Maybe I should have said twisted. When the caps come they are too long. The ends must be machined to fit tight in the register. When he machined them, he did not cut the ends 90 degrees. When the caps were installed the edges did not line up. One edge would stick over the edge of block on one side and stick over on the other side in the opposite direction. Is this clear or not? What happens is the thrust bearing edges don't line up and it will start to wear on the exposed edges. Once the wear starts--metal is being worn off and it snow balls from there. It can be off so little that it is not noticeable unless you feel for it with you finger nail. The same guy has done many V-6 Buicks in the last few years. The only way I happen to catch one was that the crank would not turn once I tapped the caps on---no nuts on yet--just tapped the caps on with a small rubber mallet. Just when I thought we had someone local to do good work!!!! I took it back and he redid it --then I was out $30 returning and ordering another chain. Now I have a friends block here that the same guy did 3 years ago. My friend did his own assembly---ruined one crank--tore down thinking a balloned convertor-- replaced crank and rebuilt---now it is apart again--guess what --same machine work---caps do not line up.