[chevy302builder18]

i was curious.. I couldnt find this on a search, but i remember someone refering to torque plated mains in a post on one of the forums. Or maybe i was dreaming? Is it possible to have your mains torque plated?

[techinspector1]

There may be something I don't know about this, but the reason to cut the main bore is to cut the saddle and the cap, so that they compliment each other and make a perfectly round hole that is exactly parallel with the other holes. I can't visualize the advantage of using something other than the cap and block.

Plates are used for boring the block because you can't bore and hone the motor with the heads on, but that isn't the case with the caps and saddles.

[SSedan64]

Are you talking about a Main Cap Girdle which ties them together?
Example >> http://www.catpep.com/what%27s%20new/new.html

[chevy302builder18]

yea i was thinking what tech said cause it does seem like align boring, prob the same thing. I wish i could make my own align majig, bc i have lost one main cap for that 400.. I was idiotic and never put them back on after the tear down...

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by chevy302builder18

yea i was thinking what tech said cause it does seem like align boring, prob the same thing. I wish i could make my own align majig, bc i have lost one main cap for that 400.. I was idiotic and never put them back on after the tear down...

Join the club- I traded for a standard bore 400 SBC block and was given a 350 SBC rear main cap in a bag of parts that went w/the deal. Ever since then I've been looking for a rear main cap that's close enough that I can have the mains align bored/honed.

Fortunately for me (but not for the owner) I found a cap from a member here that's scrapping a cracked 400 SBC block. If you need a cap maybe you and him can get together on it.

I have read that there was someone using torque plates and mounting up an oil pump pad cut from an old pump- all of which was torqued in place while the mains (and possibly the cylinder honing) were done. I have no idea if this resulted in a better job on the mains or not.

[chevy302builder18]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

Join the club- I traded for a standard bore 400 SBC block and was given a 350 SBC rear main cap in a bag of parts that went w/the deal. Ever since then I've been looking for a rear main cap that's close enough that I can have the mains align bored/honed.

I hear you there
[/QUOTE]Fortunately for me (but not for the owner) I found a cap from a member here that's scrapping a cracked 400 SBC block. If you need a cap maybe you and him can get together on it.[/QUOTE] hey i need a center cap, thats about it. Yea if he could hold on to it, let me know. Have him PM me, and if he wants i can pay $$ to get it and ship it. Taking the block to get it align honed in the city, my machinist doesnt have the machinery to do it, he runs small shop small town.

[/QUOTE]I have read that there was someone using torque plates and mounting up an oil pump pad cut from an old pump- all of which was torqued in place while the mains (and possibly the cylinder honing) were done. I have no idea if this resulted in a better job on the mains or not.[/QUOTE] hmm seems intresting on this part, for oiling?

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by chevy302builder18

hmm seems intresting on this part, for oiling?

The idea is to induce as many of the stresses and strains on the block that will be there when the engine is assembled, to simulate a built engine. There are shops that will go as far as to circulate hot water through the block to simulate a finished, running engine while the machining is being done. The theory being this will result in a truer finished product.

[chevy302builder18]

o i see. Smart way of thinking. But yea just have him PM me please or give me his user name, and ill message him. This 400 will be running soon! I look to having it done already got the heads and everything picked out.
P.S im also Looking into a 72 chevy C10 pickup at the moment, has 402 big block, really no difference between these bore and stroke ratios, but the block is better suited for all of it. Its in pristene shape, this big truck is selling for $700, guy wants a gas effecient truck for even trade... I am impressed by the shape and the paint, and im not surprised its still sittin there (everyones scared of gas milege) Either way its stole my heart, will post pics at the end of the month
o and another thing, Horsepower kills yards!