Are all main girdles created equal? discuss

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

Just wondering if I have to go high dollar or can cheap out on one for my stroker 351w. Whats best, steel, aluminum? Anyone have problems with a cheap one? Lets talk about this

bentley429 · Jun 11, 2006

I would like some info on this as well. Paul I just took a look at your car domain, very nice car. I was impressed by your polishing skills, i think i would like to try someday.

04sleeper · Jun 11, 2006

All main girdles do basically the same thing, hold the peices together when the engine blows up.

I have never had any hardcore engine builder tell me that they help.

They say just buy a stronger block.

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

bentley429 said:
I would like some info on this as well. Paul I just took a look at your car domain, very nice car. I was impressed by your polishing skills, i think i would like to try someday.

Hey thanks man. Drop me a PM when you want to try and I'll help you through the process...PB

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

04sleeper said:
All main girdles do basically the same thing, hold the peices together when the engine blows up.

I have never had any hardcore engine builder tell me that they help.

They say just buy a stronger block.

I got the strongest one I could afford.
Ok which one holds the pieces together the best?

jrichker · Jun 11, 2006

The only girdle that would be any good is one that to my knowledge, doesn't exist. It would be a one piece forging that had the main bearing caps made as part of it. It would use its own unique oil pan and maybe even a front cover. The bolts for the oil pan would be larger than stock and would hold the outer edges of the one piece cap/girdle/oil sump in place. It would cover and surround the whole bottom end of the engine.

I can see it in my mind, I hope that this is good enough for some of you who have imagination.

04sleeper · Jun 11, 2006

pb_paulie_b said:
I got the strongest one I could afford.
Ok which one holds the pieces together the best?

PM Rick91GT and ask him. He can answer your question.

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

04sleeper, I have a feeling that Rick is going to tell me the same thing. So then what about 4-bolt mains?

2000xp8 · Jun 11, 2006

04sleeper said:
All main girdles do basically the same thing, hold the peices together when the engine blows up.

I have never had any hardcore engine builder tell me that they help.

They say just buy a stronger block.

You saved me some typing.

90mustangGT · Jun 11, 2006

I've talked to Rick about this subject. Some girltles require grinding down on the stock block/caps, which further weakens them. The weakest part of the block is right up the middle where they usually split. Even a 69-74 351Ws will usually break up the middle. The newer blocks arn't good much over the mid 400's in HP and girltles don't seem to help much. What they do is hold the mains togeather, for less crank walk, and hold it togeather when it does come apart. Also, Rick told me that the DSS alumimum tends to dampen harmonics, which is aways good.

In other words, girtles are good, but they arn't a substitute for a stonger block. I look at it this way, after the price of the girltle, all the machine work, your approaching the price of the dart block. I know then you need to get the machine work done to the dart, but at least you'll only have to do this once. So unless your building a mild setup, then it might be better to invest in the better block.

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

Thanks for the input 90mustangGt, I'll look for one that doesn't require the extra machining. I'll get a cheap one too since consensus is it's only good for a lil peace of mind.
Got to admit I hear of the splitting up the middle block alot. Wouldn't this make a Valley girdle make sense?

2000xp8 · Jun 11, 2006

Paulie, are you putting a YS on this block?

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

You know it baby. I'll prolly putt putt around with 400 to 500hp NA for a while. Then bolt up the YS. I already have the cog belt set-up and 'starter' 8 pound pulleys. In the future I'll get the 15 pounders.

2000xp8 · Jun 11, 2006

Then i'd say, when you break the block, you break it. Not sure it can be predicted, or even prevented, lol.

R2D2 · Jun 11, 2006

the girdles are for nothing more than keeping the crank from walking around. Nothing to do with strengthening the block. That's another internet myth

pb_paulie_b · Jun 11, 2006

I just spent a fair amount of time doing a search (duh) and my final answer is to buy a canton main support so no machining has to be done to weaken the caps. I will bolt it on before block machining. This won't hurt block strength and will help a lil'. I 'may' also buy the lifter valley girdle. All told if anything $400 is to be able to re-use as many engine components as possible should failure occur.
I will also encase the entire motor in a block of cement and a gigantic vise to hold the cement together. Anyone still reading this???

R2D2 · Jun 11, 2006

lifter valley girdle is 100% useless, been building small-big and clevelands for 15 years, another gimmick. It's your money though and if you find peace of mind in it, then rock on

bubba-dough · Jun 11, 2006

pb_paulie_b said:
I just spent a fair amount of time doing a search (duh) and my final answer is to buy a canton main support so no machining has to be done to weaken the caps. I will bolt it on before block machining. This won't hurt block strength and will help a lil'. I 'may' also buy the lifter valley girdle. All told if anything $400 is to be able to re-use as many engine components as possible should failure occur.
I will also encase the entire motor in a block of cement and a gigantic vise to hold the cement together. Anyone still reading this???

Just a thought......dip your block in kevlar right before the cement.

S&B · Jun 11, 2006

How to make a Planter the HARD way

1. Determine boost level
2. Realize that its pushing the edge
3. Go for it
4. GET OWNED BY THE BLOCK
View attachment 463372
5. Thank the girdle for making it stay together so everything didn't turn into garbge.
6. Determine PLanter location and ENJOY!!!
View attachment 463374

bubba-dough · Jun 11, 2006

S&B, you got me with the "massive burnout and doughnut" link.........

Are all main girdles created equal? discuss

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