aluminum vs. steel main caps 392 hemi
#1592803
03/14/14 12:56 PM
03/14/14 12:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,495 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,495
Minnesota
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HI, I'm building a 392 hemi using a 1958 block, putting in a 5/8 stroker crank. (4.525") This moter will have steel rods and high compression, and I want to build it to hold up to drag strip thrashing and street cruising. Bottom end strength is a big concern. I plan to convert it to 4 bolt mains. I have talked to a handful of reputable machine shops about using aluminum main caps, and I get a different opinion from everyone. Some say do it, some say never do it, others don't have much opinion. So what are the pros and cons of the aluminum vs steel caps? Besides weight?
Thanks, Joel
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: aluminum vs. steel main caps 392 hemi
[Re: quickd100]
#1592808
03/14/14 04:08 PM
03/14/14 04:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 941 Texas, USA
ChrgrCuda
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 941
Texas, USA
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Looking forward to seeing the outcome of your project. Very cool! So what are some flow numbers from those early heads?
68 Cuda Notchback [Email]10.86@120[/Email]
69 Charger R/T 440/505
2009 Challenger SRT8
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Re: aluminum vs. steel main caps 392 hemi
[Re: Handygun]
#1592810
03/14/14 08:50 PM
03/14/14 08:50 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:
Bob Mckray, Gene Adams and a few others have gotten 370 on the intake out of the 555 heads. If I could do my 392 again it would be a stroked 354, Stiffer block,smaller package. Big Al's toybox has a run of Moroso pans in stock. Stud everything and plan on buying adapters for everything. My timid hydraulic 392 pushes my 4300 58 Ply wgn to mid 13's through manifolds and a 518. Good luck Joel and great X BTW.
Is that engine(back mount area) set up for a BB trans
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Re: aluminum vs. steel main caps 392 hemi
[Re: ChrgrCuda]
#1592811
03/14/14 09:21 PM
03/14/14 09:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,495 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,495
Minnesota
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Its an A1 block, but still the web between the main bearing bore and the pan rail is quite thin. I'll have to take a close look at the lifter bores. Dave, thanks for the referral, I'll give him a call. Aftermarket heads can flow 360+ on the intake... I bought this billit crankshaft off ebay, it turns out that the seller was John Calvert and he said the crank checked out good. Today I dropped it off to be magged anyway, just to be safe before I start the build.
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Re: aluminum vs. steel main caps 392 hemi
[Re: Handygun]
#1592812
03/14/14 09:24 PM
03/14/14 09:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,495 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,495
Minnesota
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Quote:
Bob Mckray, Gene Adams and a few others have gotten 370 on the intake out of the 555 heads. If I could do my 392 again it would be a stroked 354, Stiffer block,smaller package. Big Al's toybox has a run of Moroso pans in stock. Stud everything and plan on buying adapters for everything. My timid hydraulic 392 pushes my 4300 58 Ply wgn to mid 13's through manifolds and a 518. Good luck Joel and great X BTW.
How much stroke will a fit in a 354? I'm not married to the 392 block, but since I already have the 4.525 bilet crank, I want to use it.
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