Any Engine Builders?

[TonyHuntimer]

Let's play "Myth or Fact!"



Seasoned block is better than new...Myth or fact?

Early 70's 454 2-bolt converted to billet 4-bolt caps (3 center mains) better than new Gen 6 with 4-bolt...myth or fact?

BBC 1-piece rear main seal better than 2-piece... myth or fact?

Stock BBC 2-bolt will hold 700 HP...myth or fact?

Tony~

[Gordz32]

Not for sure on the first 3 but I know the last question

Seasoned block is better than new...Myth or fact?
Fact, I'm pretty sure seasoning changes the structure of the metal and increases its hardness
Early 70's 454 2-bolt converted to billet 4-bolt caps (3 center mains) better than new Gen 6 with 4-bolt...myth or fact?
Fact, Its always been up in the air : Converted 2-bolt vs. 4-bolt, but BILLET CAPS and old steel sounds stronger to me
BBC 1-piece rear main seal better than 2-piece... myth or fact? Not Sure on this one, myth

Stock BBC 2-bolt will hold 700 HP...myth or fact?
Wyotech told us 600hp but, my guess is you can stretch it to 700hp (Fact)

[myclone]

These are gonna be kinda tough to put a deffinate myth or fact label on...you'll prolly get just as many diff answers as there are engine builders. I'll make a stab at it since it can lead to some informative discussions though.

[quote=TonyHuntimerRaceHome]Let's play "Myth or Fact!"

Seasoned block is better than new...Myth or fact?

I prefer to start with a seasoned block in a production block based build. A used block has taken "set" from thermal cycling which gives me piece of mind that I dont have to tear it down after each race to look at the bearings. In a race car that isnt bad but a street car with all accessories makes it a time consuming PIA.

Early 70's 454 2-bolt converted to billet 4-bolt caps (3 center mains) better than new Gen 6 with 4-bolt...myth or fact?

Depends....are the aftermarket caps splayed outter bolt type or straight bolt like the stockers? The general concesous is that splayed caps are stronger and from what Ive seen at post dyno session tear down that appears to be true. Are they stronger than the gen 6? Dunno really...all my dyno time and testing has been on SBC stuff so I really cant call it one way or another.

BBC 1-piece rear main seal better than 2-piece... myth or fact?

Id have to label this one as fact. While I have seen some one piece rear main seal motors that were leakers they seem to be more rare than the two piece seal. In my experience with one piece rear seals is that they either leak or they dont while the two piece can be dry as a bone, leak like the titanic just after punting an iceburg, or anywhere in between

Stock BBC 2-bolt will hold 700 HP...myth or fact?

Depends....... How long do you want it to hold 700hp and how high are you gonna zing it. Will it hold? Id bet yes but that would be the absolute limit Id want to take it without at least some ARP studs in it (Id still cringe at that level under full load on the dyno with ARP stuff).

Tony~

Id call fact on this one....Ive seen a guy post on here before that goes by the name Tony .

[OHCbird]

1. seasoned vs. new (in an apples-to-apples coparison). yes. Most reputable teams 'season' their blocks before putting them in the build-mill.

2. Converted 4 vs. Gen VI 4- depends; are the caps your only criteria? what about the better metalurgy and deck thicknesses of the Gen VI? Oiling strategy, lifter support, fuel pump boss, motor mounts, dizzy hole, etc? Like Myclone said- lotsa belief that the splayed caps go deeper into better meat than the stock 4... but is this with bolts or studs?

3. I love the newer 1pc seals, and have less troubles with them, but they make some real nice wrap-around gasket / seal combos for both the SBC and BBC now.

4. That depends- nitrous hard-hitting 700hp with lots of traction, or a more rod-friendly turbo 700hp? either way, at 500hp (in the big-inch marine world) we say goodbye to 2 bolt mains. Mandatory billet caps after 800hp in all our stuff.

[rocketman]

How can you compare a old stock block to a new dart or any aftermarket block,Even the new style BB are better,there 30 years of new tech in them, better quailty better material.

I only use a stock block for stock to mild engines.

[z28orshoot]

in MY personal experence....

1. seasoned blocks are better. the rockwell hardness has been greater than new blocks.

2. not a clue, never had to use a gen 6 block.

3. you guess is as good as mine. but the one piece gasket for the gen 4 bbc is very nice !

4. i have 2 arp studded 2bolt blocks in both of my drag cars. one 496 has been chassis dynoed with 14lbs boost 906hp and the other has a 505cid bore and makes 825hp with 12.5:1

personally i think that if you keep it below 6500 and have a good tune on it you will be just fine. i have had more "cap walk" on 4bolt blocks than 2 bolt blocks at least in MY boosted applications

hope this helps JUST MY $0.02