Machined block... but no main caps

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spade33

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Nov 14, 2006

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Tempe, Arizona

Apr 9, 2010

#1

• Apr 9, 2010

• #1

i have a chance to buy a non roller 5.0 block for 135 with all the machine work done and its bored to the right bore i need. The only problem with it is that it has no main caps.. Is this worth it to buy or should i just pass it up. I know i would need new caps and it may need machining for the caps to be all inline. But i am not sure how much that would cost. Let me know what you guys thing

 

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D.Hearne

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Sep 29, 2000

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Apr 9, 2010

#2

• Apr 9, 2010

• #2

Unless it's really cheap ($50 or less) pass on it. New caps= WILL NEED line boring to align the caps. No maybe about that.

 

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spade33

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Apr 9, 2010

#3

• Apr 9, 2010

• #3

how much does line boring cost? forgot to say it also has the freeze plugs and cam bearings and oil valley stuff done apparently

 

1

10secgoal

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Dec 1, 2003

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San Diego

Apr 9, 2010

#4

• Apr 9, 2010

• #4

I can't recall, but I remember there was a preferred order to machine a block. I want to say you want the caps on an torqued when you bore and hone for the same reason you want a torque plate on when you bore and hone. But probably splitting hairs.....I would check farther into it though. If it will work, doesn't seem like a bad deal. If it's bored, honed, cam bearings, decked, etc maybe worth it.

 

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57fairlane

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Apr 2, 2005

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Oakwood, GA

Apr 9, 2010

#5

• Apr 9, 2010

• #5

spade33 said:

how much does line boring cost? forgot to say it also has the freeze plugs and cam bearings and oil valley stuff done apparently

Click to expand...

my local place is $65 if I bring them just the block with the bolts/studs ready to go.

 

1

10secgoal

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Dec 1, 2003

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Apr 10, 2010

#6

• Apr 10, 2010

• #6

I gots to move lol

 

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spade33

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Nov 14, 2006

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Tempe, Arizona

Apr 10, 2010

#7

• Apr 10, 2010

• #7

Haha I was going to ask where your at because that sounded really cheap. Does anybody know where I could find main caps for sale

 

2

2+2GT

10 Year Member

Apr 25, 2009

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Southeastern Pennsylvania

Apr 10, 2010

#8

• Apr 10, 2010

• #8

spade33 said:

Haha I was going to ask where your at because that sounded really cheap. Does anybody know where I could find main caps for sale

Click to expand...

If you're really hard-core, Cobra Automotive has the #1, 2, 3, & 4 caps for the 289HP reproduced. There was nothing special about #5. They are left semi-machined so they can be fitted and align-bored to match your block. It's important to have align boring done, ask me how I know

 

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spade33

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Apr 10, 2010

#9

• Apr 10, 2010

• #9

Damn those things arnt cheap at all. I figured if I needed to I might try looking around a a pick and pull place and digging into one of those

 

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D.Hearne

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#10

• Apr 10, 2010

• #10

Try ebay for main caps. I used to have a spare set, but sold em.

 

6

65ebd65

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Dec 26, 2009

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Apr 11, 2010

#11

• Apr 11, 2010

• #11

If you can use them I have a set of a ford 260 CID yours for the shipping.

 

brianj5600

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Sep 19, 2003

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Middle TN

Apr 11, 2010

#12

• Apr 11, 2010

• #12

If you do it, have the machinist measure the crank to cam center line. Align honing moves the crank closer to the cam and can cause the timing chain to be loose. Cloyes has matched sets to compensate. With an acurate measurement it can be corrected. I wish I had done this and only bought one timing set. This is copied from the Cloyes web site. There probably other companies that offer shorter sets if you look. Most parts stores have them available, but don't list them online so you may have to call the supplier for a part #.

Center Distance is the measurement taken from the center of the camshaft to the center of the crankshaft.

How to Determine the Center Distance of your Engine Block

CENTER DISTANCE = MOS-(CRANK DIA./2 + CAM DIA./2)


Though all engine blocks will vary slightly, your everyday vehicles will already have standard center distance. However, if your block has been machined or aligned honed, then your camshaft and crankshaft are going to be closer together. For everyday street applications you can get away with just using a shim kit to take up the slack. However, in a race application, you should order a Cloyes reduced center distance performance set.

 

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spade33

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Tempe, Arizona

Apr 13, 2010

#13

• Apr 13, 2010

• #13

I wouldn't know if th 260 CID caps would work. Any advice here guys? Also was the 85 302 block a one piece rear main seal? I think I'm going to give it a try

 

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D.Hearne

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Apr 13, 2010

#14

• Apr 13, 2010

• #14

85 is a 1 pc rear main. The 260 caps aren't going to work on it. 85 was the first year of the rollers, but the block's not as strong as the 86-2001's.