Moparts

4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440

Posted By: A47

4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 01:50 PM

hi guys

Merry christmas

, appreciate any advice /input & info ?? pictures ??
have read that you can get 4 bolt main caps to put in a old production 440 block !!! i have a spare 71 block on a fresh +30 bore ! is it a good idea , who sells these things !! have heard they can weaken the walls of the block !! any info feed back would be greatly appreciated

Posted By: ahy

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 02:10 PM

There isn't really enough meat in the block to gain much plus there are better ways to beef it up.

For a milder build, say 500-550 HP, a set of main studs plus align hone with stock caps works well. Next up would be ductile iron or billet steel main caps with studs. Next is aluminum main caps which seem to absorb harmonics that cause cap walk. Then there are girdels. All with 2 studs.

I went with the steel caps on a 550'ish HP build to have some room for upgrades later (head and cam).

Good luck!
Posted By: copchaser

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 03:32 PM

Program is who makes the 4 bolt main caps. You only get the center 3 caps. There is plenty of meat in the block. Make sure that you have a good machine shop install them and it will need linebored. They are a must in any engine that I build, or have built. then again I'm a member of the pump gas 700 club.
Posted By: mopardamo

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 03:55 PM

Hello & Merry Christmas,

I would put AL caps on and be done with it unless you are going to make under 500 hp. Then stick with the stock caps. Cannot do any better unless the block is upgraded.

Damon
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 07:01 PM

I agree with AHY on this, use either a set of ductile iron or aluminum caps and a good set of studs for builds above 600 HP I like and use the Mopar brand of ductile iron caps, I'm not sure if you can still get them or not I am a member of the 500, 600, 700, 800 and 900+ HP HP pump gas club All using Mopar Ductile iron caps Stay away from drilling or machining holes through the side of the block to use side bolts Look at that very closely and then about it If you want a block with four bolt mains buy a new one
Posted By: thehemikid

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 08:43 PM

Quote:

Program is who makes the 4 bolt main caps. You only get the center 3 caps. There is plenty of meat in the block. Make sure that you have a good machine shop install them and it will need linebored. They are a must in any engine that I build, or have built. then again I'm a member of the pump gas 700 club.



...You are the first I've seen sense I've been here on Moparts that runs the ProGram caps. I've been wondering how well others have done with these caps.
...I bought 2 complete sets (bought #1 & #5 billet 2 bolt caps also) of the ProGram Billet 4 bolts caps & ARP studs in the late 90's, & had 2 blocks done buy a close machinist friend. He set up the cross bolt in the 2nd block just a tad bit higher in the block like the Hemi. Maybe not as high as a Hemi, but liked the Idea of a little farther away from the pan rail. I used the 2nd block as the 499" in my ~700 hp Pump gas street car for ~ 6 yrs. I only hammered on it for about 31 passes before putting it on the street. Probably not a lot of hammering for those that Drag Race every wk end. Had another block done with AL caps & studs too (at that time I think) after Koffle (sp)saying they had ~900ph (if I remember correctly) Low decks live with them. Haven't used that block yet either. Health keeps throwing sticks in my spokes. Anyway, nice to hear about other ProGrams.
...Put the #1 & #5 Billet ProGrams on after this pic. Sorry pic is a tad fuzzy.
...EDIT: I agree the AL cap is an easier route, may absorb the vibes better, & with the Girdle it would be hard to beat.

Attached picture 6379065-P1120413(2).jpg
Posted By: roadrunninMark

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/26/10 09:09 PM

Who's girdle system and alumin. caps the best?
Posted By: A47

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/27/10 12:52 PM

thanks guys for the info pictures replies & stuff , its been greatly appreciated !!
yeah could go aftermarket 4 bolt mains block , but , thinking would be easier on bank account , it i could make use of this 71 block , i know power & cheap don't really go in the same sentance ! , these aluminum main caps ! something is bothering me !! don't laugh Guys , i know my way around engines & rebuilt a good few over the years , but will never know half as much as you guys on here , wont the aluminum main caps expand different to the cast iron block ! & change bearing clearences !! yeah said you would laugh ,


Posted By: moparniac

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/27/10 01:23 PM

how much are the caps and how much would the machining be for the whole process!
Posted By: mopardamo

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/27/10 02:34 PM

Hello,

BCR setup is the best and is now sold thru Chenoweth Speed and Machine. PM mike at CRE2004,

Damon
Posted By: A47

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/27/10 03:08 PM

Quote:

thanks guys for the info pictures replies & stuff , its been greatly appreciated !!
yeah could go aftermarket 4 bolt mains block , but , thinking would be easier on bank account , it i could make use of this 71 block , i know power & cheap don't really go in the same sentance ! , these aluminum main caps ! something is bothering me !! don't laugh Guys , i know my way around engines & rebuilt a good few over the years , but will never know half as much as you guys on here , wont the aluminum main caps expand different to the cast iron block ! & change bearing clearences !! yeah said you would laugh ,






also what about aluminum caps in a motor that will spend lot of time on the street ,
Posted By: thehemikid

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/27/10 09:02 PM

Quote:

Quote:

thanks guys for the info pictures replies & stuff , its been greatly appreciated !!
yeah could go aftermarket 4 bolt mains block , but , thinking would be easier on bank account , it i could make use of this 71 block , i know power & cheap don't really go in the same sentance ! , these aluminum main caps ! something is bothering me !! don't laugh Guys , i know my way around engines & rebuilt a good few over the years , but will never know half as much as you guys on here , wont the aluminum main caps expand different to the cast iron block ! & change bearing clearences !! yeah said you would laugh ,






also what about aluminum caps in a motor that will spend lot of time on the street ,



...The street was what I built that AL cap'd block for, but health got in the way & I didn't get to find out. Yeah, it'd be nice to hear someone say, "been there done that, no probemo", & I bet there is. Hopefully someone chimes in.
Posted By: mopardamo

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/28/10 12:57 AM

Yep, many have done this for street motors and not had problems. It is the way to go.

Damon
Posted By: turboplymouth

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/28/10 01:40 AM

I have 3 seasons on my AL caps. Probably 2500 driven miles and 25 1/4 mile passes, plus quite a few "street passes".
You can take a guess on the hp based on the #'s in sig.
Posted By: dannysbee

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/28/10 02:05 AM

They do aluminum blocks with steel caps all the time and there does not seem to be any problems there with the different expansion of materials.
Posted By: A47

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/28/10 10:54 AM

thanks guys really appreciate the info & stuff !! this has given me some stuff to think about

thanks again

Posted By: gregsdart

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/28/10 01:22 PM

My experience has been that total rotating assembly weight is as important as how you choose to strengthen the block. The next motor I get is going to have aluminum rods, the lightest piston I can come up with and a low deck race block from KB. My last choice would be what i have now, a four bolt Megablock with a 2432 bob weight. I don't like the idea of a conversion four bolt kit simply based on the fact that I have hurt a better four bolt combo, the factory four bolt race block.
The best choice for a stock type 440 block IMHO would get a set of aluminum caps, and I would spend as much or more money on light parts to keep the bob weight as low as possible.
Posted By: A47

Re: 4 bolt main cap conversion on a 440 - 12/30/10 12:53 AM

thanks for the reply ,
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