What kind of front and rear main caps are you using? Stock?

Is it a no no to mix materials of main caps?

Im gonna have some GM nodular iron caps in the middle, and they also have a nice billet one for the front, but im not sure if its good to mix them, or if it is even necessary?

 

I changed the 3 in the middle as most do. don't know how to change the ends since it would interfere with the oil pan. Would sure like to know how.

material doesn't matter as long as they are all align bored

 

no im not talkin about converting the outsides to 4bolt, im talking aftermarket 2 bolt caps.

I thought material would matter due to different expansion rates, maybe not though....

 

how do you convert it? do u have to drill out holes to convert the middle?

thanks
matt

 

Pro-Gram makes billet steel caps to replace all stock 2-bolt (front center and rear) and 4-bolt caps, and 4-bolt conversion center caps. Very high quality product.

You really want all your caps made out of the same material. Otherwise, they will not have the same coefficient of thermal expansion.

 

Exactly the input i needed fred. THanks man, clean out your PMs I tried to PM this question to you before i posted it cause i knew you could answer it

Ya, I thought you would want all the same material, cause if not you would have uneven loading on teh crank and bad stuff like that.

Good Lord the rear caps are expensive!!!

Fred, are you using these center caps?

SB350CFS4 350 Direct replacement for the stock 4 bolt cap

What oil pan are you using?

 

Oliver makes a replacement (4 bolt centers and 2 bolt outers) kit that should solve the whole dilema......and they're incredibly ridgid pieces

 

I have the Pro-Gram splayed conversion caps on mine. I know George Baxter used the Pro-Gram direct replacement 4-bolt straight caps on his 4-bolt stock engine. I'd have to look at the invoice to remember the part #.

I use the stock oil pan, and the stock dipstick. The pan took a few taps of the hammer, but that's a crank issue, not the caps.

 

I second Oliver