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SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money? *UPDATE*
#1401844
03/13/13 12:07 PM
03/13/13 12:07 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Trying to figure things out on my new LA SB, are aftermarket main caps woth it or should I just stick with the stock caps. We've all heard the 4 bolt caps weaken the block but does anyone have any actual experience with this? Any help is appreciated.
Jerry at SD Concepts is willing to run these caps off at a very reasonable price, $450 a set or if he can run off at least 5 sets the price drops to $350.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: Guitar Jones]
#1401846
03/13/13 12:58 PM
03/13/13 12:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I have 1 340 stock block with big 4 bolt steel main caps.. the outer bolts are 3/8 but I still feel it helps spread the load... but at a point its not the main caps that are the weak point... I've had more blocks crack a cyl wall than hurt stock caps 
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: Quicktree]
#1401847
03/13/13 01:35 PM
03/13/13 01:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Quote:
what power level? was Good to meet you,stop by sometime when you have more time. just my opinion but when you get into the 600hp area an X block or R3 type block would be good insurance.
It was good to meet you too Tony. I'm not sure when I'll be up that way again but I may see you at G'ville sometime this year. Yeah I know an X or R would be best but it's just not in the cards right now and yes it should make over the 600hp mark.
MrP, I've been told this block sonic checked good to 4.100 bore, it's only 4.030 now and has been tall filled. It would be nice to see one of those caps and where exactly it goes into the main web.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: B G Racing]
#1401850
03/13/13 03:59 PM
03/13/13 03:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 84
Minnesota
Coldart
member
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member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 84
Minnesota
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Quote:
With stock 340 and 360 blocks there is not much material to thread into.With the 6-pack and R blocks the thick casting has enough material to support the extra bolts. 
This ^
Your going to be flirt'n with that stock block anyway - I think you already know that 
Just put an ARP stud kit in it and run it 
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: Coldart]
#1401852
03/13/13 04:28 PM
03/13/13 04:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Quote:
Quote:
With stock 340 and 360 blocks there is not much material to thread into.With the 6-pack and R blocks the thick casting has enough material to support the extra bolts.
This ^
Your going to be flirt'n with that stock block anyway - I think you already know that
Just put an ARP stud kit in it and run it
Yeah, I know I'm flirtin' with a grenede, just trying to get by for awhile 'til the economy gets better. 
MrP, PM sent
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: Guitar Jones]
#1401853
03/13/13 05:15 PM
03/13/13 05:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
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OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Has any one ever tried using a tubular dowel for the cap like the H beam rods use? I have access to a Bridgeport so it would just be time and the cost of the dowels, or make my own.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: Guitar Jones]
#1401854
03/13/13 05:54 PM
03/13/13 05:54 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
Has any one ever tried using a tubular dowel for the cap like the H beam rods use? I have access to a Bridgeport so it would just be time and the cost of the dowels, or make my own.
my 4 bolt caps have 1/4" dowel pins in each(1 on
each side)
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1401855
03/13/13 05:57 PM
03/13/13 05:57 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
|
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Quote:
Quote:
Has any one ever tried using a tubular dowel for the cap like the H beam rods use? I have access to a Bridgeport so it would just be time and the cost of the dowels, or make my own.
my 4 bolt caps have 1/4" dowel pins in each(1 on
each side)
I'm thinking that would be a little harder for me to locate it properly into the cap. The tubular dowel would be centered right off the bolt holes.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: Guitar Jones]
#1401856
03/13/13 06:37 PM
03/13/13 06:37 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Has any one ever tried using a tubular dowel for the cap like the H beam rods use? I have access to a Bridgeport so it would just be time and the cost of the dowels, or make my own.
my 4 bolt caps have 1/4" dowel pins in each(1 on
each side)
I'm thinking that would be a little harder for me to locate it properly into the cap. The tubular dowel would be centered right off the bolt holes.
It was easy.... locate the caps with the bearings just
like you would when you check for the clearance on
the crank... then drill straight through the cap
into the block(use a undersize bit then size it with
a ream)
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1401857
03/13/13 06:49 PM
03/13/13 06:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
|
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Has any one ever tried using a tubular dowel for the cap like the H beam rods use? I have access to a Bridgeport so it would just be time and the cost of the dowels, or make my own.
my 4 bolt caps have 1/4" dowel pins in each(1 on
each side)
I'm thinking that would be a little harder for me to locate it properly into the cap. The tubular dowel would be centered right off the bolt holes.
It was easy.... locate the caps with the bearings just
like you would when you check for the clearance on
the crank... then drill straight through the cap
into the block(use a undersize bit then size it with
a ream)
That may be alright with an aftermarket steel or billet cap but I didn't want to put a hole all the way through a stock cast cap, even if it was small.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1401859
03/13/13 07:17 PM
03/13/13 07:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
|
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Quote:
That may be alright with an aftermarket steel or billet cap but I didn't want to put a hole all the way through a stock cast cap, even if it was small.
No I wouldnt do that on stock caps
So now we're back to the original question, are aftermarket caps worth the money and effort? Will it buy me more time, help some, or other wise am I better off just leaving it and crossing my fingers until I can get a better block?
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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Re: SB aftermarket main caps, waste of money?
[Re: MattW]
#1401862
03/13/13 07:30 PM
03/13/13 07:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Guitar Jones
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
|
OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,640
in a cattle trailer down by th...
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Quote:
So now we're back to the original question, are aftermarket caps worth the money and effort? Will it buy me more time, help some, or other wise am I better off just leaving it and crossing my fingers until I can get a better block?
Why put the money and effort if your going an R3?
Run it stock and hope for the best. It would be a shame to put caps on along with the machining expense if something were to go boom. 
Because except for the line bore I can do it all myself. I have no idea how long I'll need to use this block because the economy isn't getting better and there is a change in ownership here at the dealership waiting in the wings. In the meantime it looks like a ghost town here. Just trying to get by the best I can for now.
"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"
'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
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