http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Engine/valley_girdle_pro.htm
anyone recomend it? is it worth it to drill wholes in the block?
anyone recomend it? is it worth it to drill wholes in the block?
anyone use this
- Thread starter p0prcksandc0ke
- Start date
302 coupe
Founding Member
RogerC62
Founding Member
No experience what-so-ever with that type of thing. My first impression though is it's a waste of money. If bolting on much stouter heads and intake won't stop a block from twisting, that dinky girder sure won't. With the heads and intake properly torqued in place you've effectively triangulated the block. However, if the heads or intake aren't square to the world and you bolt them up, you could be preloading the block into a twisting condition which could possibly take after several heat cycles from running. I don't see it as much benefit either for additional support of lifters or pushrods. An overkill push rod guides maybe. Just my opinion, others with more engine building experience than I may verify or correct my thinking.
If you are concerned about splitting a block, you are better to purchase an aftermarket Sportsman or the new Boss block. Installing these brackets would require installation before honing your cylinders as they would distort your block when torqued down. I think most performance engine machine shops would not recommend these units though.
mustangmike6996
5 Year Member
normally on a small block ford it will handle up to the 500 hp mark... then the first part to o its the block at high rpm... its splits right down the middle of it... im sure you can find some pics on google... but i would assume that this would help counteract the metal wanting to tear in half
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
If 110+lbs of iron won't stay together with ten 1/2" main and twelve 5/16" intake bolts, how are four extra 1/4-20 bolts in the valley going to change anything?
I think that at the very least it will help save the internals when a block does split that combined with a mainsupport system. A budy of mine did that and the block did split but the internals were still good. Either way if you are making that kind of power the factory block will eventually split in half
iskwezm
10 Year Member
65ShelbyClone
Founding Member
My mistake, two 1/4-20 bolts.
Mustang Depot said:
The problem with the stock blocks is not twisting; it's strength in the mains. They don't split from the top down, they split from the main bolts up into the valley. I'm convinced that the only possible savior of the stock block would be a huge one-piece maincap/girdle that bolts to the pan rails. Kind of a Band Aid way to get the same effect as a 4-bolt bottom end.
Here's the factory lightweight right here:
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i dont think im going to be splitting my block just on the street so i dont think im going to need it
fasttback
New Member
My mistake, two 1/4-20 bolts.
The problem with the stock blocks is not twisting; it's strength in the mains. They don't split from the top down, they split from the main bolts up into the valley. I'm convinced that the only possible savior of the stock block would be a huge one-piece maincap/girdle that bolts to the pan rails. Kind of a Band Aid way to get the same effect as a 4-bolt bottom end.
Here's the factory lightweight right here:
Ah...this minor engine problem could be patched up with a soldering iron, duct tape, and couple of 1/4" bolts. Also I would keep the NO2 shot down to 150 or so, because of duct tape flexing at higher HP levels.
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JB weld!
The girdles upper and lower don't save the block from splitting. They just keep the internals together when the block does go. With all the purchase and machining cost of installing these things on a fresh block you might as well put all that cash towards a stronger block. I would have more faith in the main cap girdle than the valley girdle. There isn't much meat for some tiny bolts to grab on to in the valley.
Kevin
The girdles upper and lower don't save the block from splitting. They just keep the internals together when the block does go. With all the purchase and machining cost of installing these things on a fresh block you might as well put all that cash towards a stronger block. I would have more faith in the main cap girdle than the valley girdle. There isn't much meat for some tiny bolts to grab on to in the valley.
Kevin
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