Anybody ever try using main cap straps on a FE? Or does a person just install...

[bluef100fe]

Pro gram or 427 crossbolt caps? I was thinking of trying it on my 390 next time it's apart. Last time I had it apart I had some metal transfer between the caps and block.. I've seen sbc's and 385 series fords with this done... Never a Fe though... Would it be worth the hassle? Get some longer arp studs or bolts and mill the top of the cap flat and sandwich a 1x1 bar of 1045 or 1026 steel between the cap and fasteners... I wonder if that would help the block and cap integrity some? What you guys think? I have access to A machine shop so I could make a few sets and see what happens I guess... Guess I'm just wondering if I would be wasting my time or not? Anybody been there and done this already? Any results you can share? Thanks

[jayb]

If I was going to go that route I think I'd go with one of those girdles that bolts into the pan rail in addition to the mains.  It would drop your oil pan 1/4" or so, but you could probably tolerate that in the truck, and it would give more resistance to the cap moving around than those cap straps would.

Really the best way to fix the problem is crossbolting.  Too bad its relatively expensive and the engine has to be torn down to do it...

[Ford428CJ]

Referring to a girdle... Yes, a few of the guys have used them. Even with a crossbolt set up. There use to be a guy named Tim who had the whole set up for about $300~$350 for the kit. Came with ARP studs and all!

Here is Tim's ad! Great guy
 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-FE-Deluxe-Main-Girdle-352-360-390-406-410-427-428-Cobra-Jet-cammer-shelby-/261374574338?pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item3cdb237f02&vxp=mtr

[LuxurySportCoupe]

I'm curious about how much it actually costs to crossbolt a 390 block. I always hear everyone say "it's expensive" but every build has a different definition of what expensive is. I see the caps themselves can be had for just under $400, but how much machine time is involved? I might be right on the fence of needing them for my upcoming build.

[Barry_R]

Without detail - some blocks are easier than others - you'll at least double the cost of the caps getting the installation done correctly.  Could end up between $700 and a grand by the time you're all in and done.

[LuxurySportCoupe]

Alright. Thanks for the info Barry.

[Barry_R]

We've installed a couple of those girdle deals - and they take a LOT more effort than you may expect to get them fitted correctly.  The pan rails are not flat from Ford and are not in the same plane as the main cap bolt registers are.  We had to mill both to get them flat, level and square to one another.  Then we ended up making our own cap to girdle spacers since the dimensions were different.  Once done I suspect they'll work pretty well - but you really don't save much compared to the proven cross bolting option.

[jayb]

Hmmm, that's interesting Barry.  I was under the impression that they really didn't have to be fitted; that you would put a gasket between the block and the girdle, and then another between the girdle and the pan.  I figured you'd have to pull the main caps and machine the tops to the same height, but didn't think it was critical to also have a perfect fit to the pan rail.  My assumption was that the pan bolts held the girdle in place sufficiently well without doing that.

By the way, I may have a couple of cast aluminum parts for you at the end of the week...

[Ford428CJ]

We've installed a couple of those girdle deals - and they take a LOT more effort than you may expect to get them fitted correctly.  The pan rails are not flat from Ford and are not in the same plane as the main cap bolt registers are.  We had to mill both to get them flat, level and square to one another.  Then we ended up making our own cap to girdle spacers since the dimensions were different.  Once done I suspect they'll work pretty well - but you really don't save much compared to the proven cross bolting option.

Some info on this stuff with pictures from the past..

http://www.network54.com/Forum/74182/thread/1319990352/FE+Girdle+anyone+use+one+%2C+new+project+%2C+has+me+thinking

[bluef100fe]

I guess I won't bother with the straps then... Does anybody besides pro gram make cross bolt caps? I don't like the idea of cutting the main webbing to install their caps? HAs anybody done the cross bolting deal and really pushed the stock 390 block? How much does the cross bolt caps raise the hp/tq ceiling? Does anybody know? Seems there are a lot of parts available to make good power with a 390 block nowadays... Just wondering where the next weak link is? Thanks

[Ford428CJ]

Well... Instead of being limited to 500~550Hp with out them... Now you can go 550+ Hp. Maybe 700~ 750Hp... It could be more I guess, depending on the block used. Like a D3 or D4 block (or other beefed up block).

Here is one other who make caps~

 http://dovemanufacturing.com/ford_fe_main_caps.html

[bluef100fe]

Wes,

I don't see any prices on those dove caps... I think I seen Brent advertising the pro gram caps for $350... I would assume the dove parts are similar in price... I think the stock 390 blocks will live at 500 or so for a few seasons of bracket racing...  I'm wondering if the cross bolted 390's will live as long or longer at the 700+ level... I like to think I would only race a complete combo for maybe five seasons and then retire that whole assembly to a street beater or backup engine if it didn't have any signs of failing and build a completely new combo with new parts... Thanks

[Heo]

The original 390 PI block from my Galaxie  is cast with the knobs for crossbolting but not machined
But i doubth there is any need for crossbolting a regular street Engine around 400 hp
I have Another block with the same casting number but the Engine is still asembled
intersting to see if it also has the knobs

[Ford428CJ]

Well Cody,

 I guess it would depend on a lot of things. Is it getting sprayed, Turbo or N/A at the 700Hp+ level ? That might depend on how long it lives at that kind of level, whats been done to it and how your using it.  Maybe some of the guys will chime in and help out.

[bluef100fe]

My plan is to make between 500-600 n/a and still have some room to spray if the need arises