Thrust bearing cap offset

yellow rose said
They should.

Sometimes, depending on core shift and other things (like how accurately the bolt holes are drilled and if they are drilled perpendicular) you may have to oversize the holes in the main caps or just run an end mill down the hole and offset the hole so the cap can go to where it belongs.

I know guys do it but I never install main studs without a line hone.

You need to either over size the holes or offset them. Either way but .018 off may as well be 10 miles.

good catch. uuuhhh, yeah, that's a problem. Did the machine shop use your ARP studs to bolt the bottom end together prior to machining? If not, maybe the difference is (IIRC) factory main cap bolts are necked down slightly between the head and threads compared to the ARP studs. Get your machining receipt, and pay another visit to your machine shop. He may have some 'splaining to do.