Main Cap question

[Nasty Wendy]

Is there any reason why steel main caps shouldn't be reused on a different engine than they were machined for the first time? I have a set of steel main caps and was wondering if I'm asking for trouble by using them on a different engine. Could they be re-machined to work or is it a crap shoot?

 

[Lee Thompson]

as long as

They are not loose in the register. My understanding is that they come BIG or wide so they have to be narrowed on each side to fit the register tight. Then line bored. Assuming they are tight in the register, they could mill some off the mating surface and reline bore. Best of luck.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Thanks Lee. So I may be out of luck if the first block called for them to be narrowed more than what the second block would call for right? Thanks again.

 

[Lee Thompson]

yes

You will just have to try and see how they fit. If loose --no good.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Thanks for the info Mr. Thompson.

 

[HP Man]

Hey Wendy, I like your build up list! I too joke about all the parts name with my Ford Lightning friend! Like said the caps must fit tight in the webs. Remember they need to be machined 90* to the crank centerline or bye bye main thrust bearing. Gene: (alis old goat)

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Hey Wendy, I like your build up list! I too joke about all the parts name with my Ford Lightning friend! Like said the caps must fit tight in the webs. Remember they need to be machined 90* to the crank centerline or bye bye main thrust bearing. Gene: (alis old goat)

My machinist got it done so appearantly they weren't loose in the registers. My sig is really old and desperately needs updating. I haven't run a Raid Armstrong Chocolate Chip for quite some time now. I've upgraded to a Tebow Twerk.

 

[Alky V6]

Loose fitting main caps can be fixed.

 

[TurboTerry87gn]

yes

I have seen it done, it works but it will make you cringe. But only with steelcaps.

 

[J-B Racing]

I have used the same Caps on 3 different Blocks. But have to be Line Bored each time though for making sure..

 

[Nasty Wendy]

The engine has been line bored with the steel caps. I was asking because my machinist told me that there could be a problem with using them since they had been machined for a different block. I don't like going to the machine shop without having any insight of what potential problems could be. Its something about not trusting people to not pull the wool over my eyes that made me want to know what he might have to say up front. Thanks guys. Now I'm going to plant these money seeds I bought so I can have my very own money trees next year.

 

[Blazer406]

Loose fitting main caps can be fixed.

I had a machinist reject some used steel main caps for my buildup.... I understand .... like others have said... that they might fit loose in the register....I don't see why you couldn't build up the sides with a little weld... and re-machine the caps to fit tight again...... but I am a tight @ss...


On a related note... I have a block that spun the #3 main.... it is about .007 oversized from the rest.... and probably slightly egged... I really don't see why you couldn't buildup the block in that area... and then machine it back down to match the factory centerline of the crank.... but what do I know....