it seems to me the main cap girdle is the better deal cost-wise between the two on a 2-bolt main block.it seems to save machining costs.opinions?

In theory it looks good..Ford guys have been doing it for years..I bet it has to do with the cap composition. Splayed caps are billet not cast. Ive read where cast caps expand and contract with the block. Maybe with a girdle(billet) it wouldn't allow for the expanding and put undo stress on the caps..I really am just guessing though..If it was as good...I think many more people would be using them though.

Originally posted by bowtie455:
it seems to me the main cap girdle is the better deal cost-wise between the two on a 2-bolt main block.it seems to save machining costs.opinions? We installed billet slpayed caps on about 70 blocks last year on both 2 bolt blocks and 4 bolt blocks the caps that we put on are what they call the winston cup caps and are about 3/16
if an inch taller and 7.500 wide and the outer bolt are at a 10 drgree angle as not to get into the water jackets and are flat bottom.

I'm sure that the girdle helps some but on a 2 bolt there is not much cap in the register as compared to a cap that is 7.500 wide, 2 bolt blocks seem to have a problem with the caps walking in performance applications. And even with a girdle when its all done you still have cast caps.

I will e-mail some pics of some blocks we have put splayed caps on you can see the differance.

WWW.CNCBLOCKSNORTHEAST.COM (http://WWW.CNCBLOCKSNORTHEAST.COM)

Originally posted by bowtie455:
it seems to me the main cap girdle is the better deal cost-wise between the two on a 2-bolt main block.it seems to save machining costs.opinions? =
I have to agree with Carl with a few additions :D
The girdle looks good on paper but does nothing to address the real problem.
Two bolt blocks with stock caps will walk when subjected to high load high rpm use.
Studs will help & the girdle just like strapping the caps which involves machining the cap flat & adding a steel plate across it do not keep the cap from walking.
The straps are used at the front & rear on some blocks when splayed caps are added to the center to reinforce the cap itself as the end caps are not near as apt to walk as the center ones. But they still break so the straps help.
In my opinion the girdles with the spacers so you don't have to machine the caps are about useless as they do very little to help strengthen the cap itself, they are spaced too far off of it.
They do tie everything together which is probably a good thing but as Carl said really don't do much to address the problem of cap walk.
GM went to 4 bolts & a wider clamping surface to help & this is the better alternative with a stock block.
As a side note, if you detonate the engine it won't make any difference how many bolts you put in the caps will move.
This is why so many truck blocks with 4 bolts have caps that are loose in the register even though they never see over 4-4500 RPM, they do see heavy loads & detonation ;)
If you are at the level of power that requires a stronger lower end in my opinion the first choice is a bow tie or aftermarket block. Second is splayed caps & third is machined caps with straps.
Studs are always a good idea on the mains as they do provide slightly more clamping load.

thanks guys,splayed caps it is! graemlins/waving.gif