My 448 block was machined already for use w/ a set of the ICH aluminum main caps, since this work was done before the improved BCR or Best Machine caps became available. I've seen at least one example of the Indy caps cracking, so I also bought a CRE main cap girdle thinking it would help stabilize the caps and -- hopefully -- reduce whatever the stresses are that cause the caps to crack.

1. Do you think this is an appropriate parts combination, or should I save the girdle for my last 440 block that still has OEM main caps?

2. The "block" design used by Indy doesn't look like it has virtually any radius at the bottom of the holes where the studs protrude. Should I look into having the Indy caps re-profiled by a competent machinist to eliminate some possible stress riser locations? (If I had this done, I'd definitely want to combine these caps w/ the girdle to offset any loss in strength from reducing the caps' mass.)

The ICH caps look like what's shown on page 24 here.

The re-profiling idea is to have them trimmed to look more like what the BCR or Best Machine caps look like here .

do you plan on making enough power to potentially break the block? i've used a lot of the indy aluminum caps prior to the BCR caps coming out. i never had a single failure of any kind with them.