Posted By: ChevyTS
B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 03:26 AM
Does a block girdle work on the wedge blocks?
B/RB Block girdle
Posted By: rowin4
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 03:35 AM
Check out BCR Products, he's a sponsor on this site. Any extra you can do to stiffen the bottom end will help. Only problem with it is you have to cover it up. 
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 03:48 AM
Posted By: ChevyTS
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:45 AM
The reason I ask is the only engine that I have used one on is a 9.40 @ 2800 lbs 440 based stroker . When I took the engine apart I found three broken main saddles and more cap walk than I have ever seen. The engine was in the car less than a season. Any idea what might have caused this. The last engine in the same car was a 400 based stroker that ran 9.20s for three seasons and was about 1 point higher compression. Any idea what might have caused this.
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:54 AM
Who's girdle were you running? Obviously something wasn't happy.... All the reports I've heard about BRC's girlde have been positive unless your gonna tell me otherwise...
Posted By: mopardamo
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:54 AM
Hello,
Lots of good info about this subject. From what I understand there is problem harmonics at the higher hp loads and the RB block have a greater problem than the B blocks. BCR griddle will definitely help or get an after-market block.
Damon
Lots of good info about this subject. From what I understand there is problem harmonics at the higher hp loads and the RB block have a greater problem than the B blocks. BCR griddle will definitely help or get an after-market block.
Damon
Posted By: 451Mopar
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 06:29 AM
Quote:
Does a block girdle work on the wedge blocks?
BCR aluminum main caps, and girdle
Posted By: blue_stocker
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 06:42 AM
Hi TS, was that block using the factory/production caps or were they after-market caps? If they were factory caps and the engine was building more than 550 HP, pretty good bet the factory caps were the culprit! If the girdle wasn't set-up correctly and/or there was a balance/harmonics problem, they probably got shaken hard enough to fracture them FROM the walking about!?! Was the block filled, late 70s block? More issues... 
...what about piston to head clearance, rod stretch, head bolts or studs?!
...what about piston to head clearance, rod stretch, head bolts or studs?!
Posted By: slantman
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 08:23 AM
With the BCR cap/girdle combo and a 4.25" stroke crank, would I be able to use a 1/2" internal oil pick up? Or maybe the 3/8" pickup would be a better fit? My car will be mainly street driven, ocassional blast down the strip, looking at around 600hp at 6000rpm. Would the caps and girdle be a worthwhile investment to go with a '69 RB block?
Sorry for hijacking the thread.
Sorry for hijacking the thread.
Posted By: blownzoom440
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 08:36 AM
i have used the chenowath 3/8 girdle,stock caps for about 5 yrs with 3 of them beating up on my engine with over 250 passes at over 750 hp.it would be interesting to see the sum of the parts and combonation.not that i can figure out what happined but am interested.
Posted By: Jacob Pitt
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 10:51 AM
I think the biggest improvement would be going to aluminum main caps. They do not transfer nearly as much punishment to the main webbing of the block. BCR makes a great product, I would get their main caps at least if not their whole setup if an aftermarket block is out of the question.
Posted By: ChevyTS
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 03:20 PM
Quote:Not sure on the brand name. The last thing I want to do is derate some ones product. Im trying to find out if factory blocks are usless for the HP level that my combo is in.
Who's girdle were you running? Obviously something wasn't happy.... All the reports I've heard about BRC's girlde have been positive unless your gonna tell me otherwise...
Posted By: ChevyTS
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 03:25 PM
Quote:Its a 4.5 stroke with 6.8 rod custom Diamond and stage six maxwedge heads. 3/4 fill on the block.
i have used the chenowath 3/8 girdle,stock caps for about 5 yrs with 3 of them beating up on my engine with over 250 passes at over 750 hp.it would be interesting to see the sum of the parts and combonation.not that i can figure out what happined but am interested.
Posted By: wyoming
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 03:39 PM
ChevyTS, I'd say you are definitly pushing the envelope on too much power for a stock block, but I'm suprised it has showed up that quick and to the degree mentioned, from my experiences detonation is a huge factor in capwalk, how much timing were you running? Compression ratio? Fuel? I think that a stock block does pretty well in high HP situations where it's not being run on the edge to get every bit of power, if I was running an index, heads up, ect where I was run on the ragged edge I'd for sure go aftermarket if the rules allowed, I think that there is a difference in block damage with the same HP out put depending how that engine is tuned. I'd be pretty unhappy though if I was in your predicament, you have some added "safety margin" in the girdle, but it didn't do what it should have done evidently.
Posted By: AndyF
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:06 PM
The long stroke might be the problem. Back it down to a 4.25 stroke and the stock block will probably last longer for you. With those heads you probably won't lose any power with the shorter stroke anyway.
Posted By: GomangoCuda
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:10 PM
Quote:
Its a 4.5 stroke with 6.8 rod custom Diamond and stage six maxwedge heads. 3/4 fill on the block.
Yep, you are way past where a stock 440 block is iffy. Could last hundreds of passes or one night. If the stock block was reliable for this type of engine there would be very little market for aftermarket blocks.
Quote:
I'd be pretty unhappy though if I was in your predicament, you have some added "safety margin" in the girdle, but it didn't do what it should have done evidently.
It did however keep a bunch of oil and parts off the track. Without the girdle he might have run over his crank and gone for a very nasty ride.
Posted By: ChevyTS
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:41 PM
Quote:The car ran 9.60 with the 4.150 stroke.
The long stroke might be the problem. Back it down to a 4.25 stroke and the stock block will probably last longer for you. With those heads you probably won't lose any power with the shorter stroke anyway.
Posted By: ChevyTS
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:44 PM
Quote:I think your right. I will have to step to an aftermarket block.Quote:
Its a 4.5 stroke with 6.8 rod custom Diamond and stage six maxwedge heads. 3/4 fill on the block.
Yep, you are way past where a stock 440 block is iffy. Could last hundreds of passes or one night. If the stock block was reliable for this type of engine there would be very little market for aftermarket blocks.Quote:
I'd be pretty unhappy though if I was in your predicament, you have some added "safety margin" in the girdle, but it didn't do what it should have done evidently.
It did however keep a bunch of oil and parts off the track. Without the girdle he might have run over his crank and gone for a very nasty ride.
Posted By: ChevyTS
Re: B/RB Block girdle - 05/08/09 04:49 PM
Quote:Im sure timing and rpm was a factor. I just installed a chassis dyno at my shop. I think I will give it one more try and keep a closer eye on the tune. Thanks for the in put. BTW nice car.
ChevyTS, I'd say you are definitly pushing the envelope on too much power for a stock block, but I'm suprised it has showed up that quick and to the degree mentioned, from my experiences detonation is a huge factor in capwalk, how much timing were you running? Compression ratio? Fuel? I think that a stock block does pretty well in high HP situations where it's not being run on the edge to get every bit of power, if I was running an index, heads up, ect where I was run on the ragged edge I'd for sure go aftermarket if the rules allowed, I think that there is a difference in block damage with the same HP out put depending how that engine is tuned. I'd be pretty unhappy though if I was in your predicament, you have some added "safety margin" in the girdle, but it didn't do what it should have done evidently.