Ebay Item

[Riskit1234]

Hello, do you see any merit in this item?  I just bought ARP studs for the mains and the ARP oil pump rod and they are sitting on my kitchen table.  I saw this awhile ago and thought "it includes everything I just bought".  I can return the stuff to summit no problem.  I got over $100 is just those two parts.  So it brings the cost down to $250.. I know there is machining to do but that aside do you think it would add some strength or more problems then its worth. 

Thanks for your thoughts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/263018468896?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

[jayb]

Whether you need that or not depends on the ultimate power level of the engine.  For most builds a 390 block is good to 600 HP or so.  If you are not going to exceed that, you probably don't need the girdle.

[Russ67Scode]

I thought one of the big 3 engine guys here said that those girdles took some serious machining to get the caps and the oil pan rail to be perfect for the piece to work correctly?

[Riskit1234]

Without boring everyone, what about a boosted application?  4-450hp n/a and a procharger?

[Heo]

It is similar to the girdle in the Ed Pink article

[fekbmax]

Good product,  i use them,  sure, some machining but it's nothing any reputable machine shop couldn't do. Square the block.  Front, back, top, bottom, trim the caps, be sure the girdle is in place  before align honing/boring the mains. Besides trimming the main caps it's all Stuff that all should be done anyway on a 50 year old FE that's gonna see any good amount of power.
JMO for what its worth.
Dam sure ain't gonna hurt anything. 

[jayb]

Without boring everyone, what about a boosted application?  4-450hp n/a and a procharger?

On a boosted engine I would for sure use that, unless the block was crossbolted.

[Riskit1234]

I'd think the girdle would be a better option then the cross bolt, no?  I have seen the parts and the website showing the work that goes into mod'n the cross bolts into a non-cross bolt block. 

And that option is way more money especially if you do the odd one.

[Riskit1234]

You all sold me, ordered it.  I'll let ya know how it goes.  Thank you all

[FElony]

You all sold me, ordered it.  I'll let ya know how it goes.  Thank you all

What kind of car?

[Riskit1234]

Truck, 73 250 was what it was going in.. like always you start off thinking freshen it up, then add this then well if I'm gonna do that..  I haven't jumped 2feet in but I'm 90% on going F1 procharger and EFI. I just started talking to procharger last week so I have a lot to figure out but this is really a toy and I'm having fun with it.  I'm actually thinking of buying the cross-bolt mains as well and have them machined at the same time.. if that's even possible?? I was actually thinking of asking that exact question. I have saved a write up showing the work involved in doing the machining but can't find my notes on who sells them.. if someone can help me save a hr tonight looking I'd appreciate it..

[FElony]

Truck, OK sounds sneaky. The reason I asked is that the girdle kit will make the factory oil pan hit the crossmember on a unibody car. (I discussed this several years ago with the maker). On a Mustang, you can space the member down, but the intermediate cars have an integral crossmember that does not unbolt, so you have to proceed accordingly. I have a '72 F250, but I can't recall what things look like under there.

What did Procharger say about FE bracketry? Also, remember that the girdle can be moved to another block in case it gets damaged. Not so the machining labor for crossbolts.

[Riskit1234]

Procharger sent me to "The Supercharger Store" who already has brackets ready to go.  I was shocked. I already have a March Serpentine System and the owner Kris said his system would work.  That's as far as I got.  I got all excited called everyone who knows more then me (everyone) and started to think could I really do this.  It's been like 3 days.  I've done so many searches and came upon a write up that goes back a bit and it looks very favorable.  I also found the one where Mr Brown and Mr Rabotnick (I'm to new here to feel comfortable saying Barry and Jay yet) where gonna porposly force feed a 390 to see the limits.  I kept searching and never found the end result...  I think it was power tour to blame. 

I don't wanna blow this thread up and I'll sure be asking a bunch of questions before I drop the asking price to build it but I also was worried about the oil pan.  The truck was gonna get the crown vic conversion and a blown coyote and I just lost interest in the coyote for now. 

[FElony]

Other place to look, except you done have your pullies, is http://www.torqstorm.com/kits_single_big-block-ford-FE.html

[Riskit1234]

That sure is a bit cheaper there kind Sir!  I think this weekend when I get a bit more knowledgeable about what I'm talking about..  I'll start a new thread on this.  Before I drop $6000 (a lot more comes with this other kit - some I don't need/want) I will see what others have to say about all this.. but just that link is a great start..
thank you