didn`t read all these posts, but some of u guys are missing the point. A girdle will strengthen a big block/r/b, probly more than any other block made , just because of its weak design. The girdles purpose is to stop the mainstuds from whipping around causing cap walk that breaks the block between the main and cam bores, in a ''higher'' h.p. hi RPM situation. More for engines that are run all the time in upper RPM . There are a lot of tricks to be used, all of them together should make a 440 , which is the worst , more dependable and last longer. In my case I use one because I don't want any future troubles, not that I run at higher rpm a whole lot.
Alum. main caps w/ studs , main studs by them selves , girdles , cryo treatment , block filling , line honing/boring , all will help a r/b .
A mega type block would solve a lot of this "if," u can afford one.
I`ve always had to buy parts a little at a time , never could afford to come up w/ a mega , or alum. aftermarket block all at once .
Some blocks will break in that area faster than others . I know a guy that even broke mega blocks between the main and cam bores " ,
dragcar-----------he eventually backed the linkage off to run consistant 9: 60`s, with alum. caps and studs .
I built a really hot 406sbc, that I had machined for 4 bolt mains , it still cap walked on every cap------
