340 Main caps question

[67_Slimer]

So I grabbed a 1971 standard bore 340 block with no caps but pretty much for nothing. I plan on slowly doing my build very slowly so I figured I'd grab it knowing There will be more work down the line. I posted previously
I'd like to try to get 500hp with 11/1 compression , ported eddys etc. Anyway , would I be better off getting aftermarket hi quality main caps or just grab standard 340 caps if I can find them. I don't mind spending the extra money if it makes a big difference as far as durability. I plan on running a stock forged crank ( no stroker ). Thank you in advance. Any advice helps.

 

[mygasser]

i'd get the block checked for cracks, bore wall thickness etc before spending money on caps. as cheap as you say it was if there are serious unseen issues that came to light you could regret having spent money on caps. if it all checks out fine it won't have been a huge extra cost in the grand scheme of things and worth it for peace of mind.
neil.

 

[Ted265]

Pretty sure there are no aftermarket rear main caps available - at least last time I looked into it. The others are available as 4 bolt units but you can cut them down is you don't want to drill/tap the extra holes in the block.
A set of factory caps will do ya, 318/273 caps will work but not as beefy as the 340 units.

 

[Newbomb Turk]

If you don’t have any of the caps, you want to call Kent Ritter and buy a set of his billet caps.

Buy once, cry once. They are 4 bolt caps but his rear main cap is fully machined. Much cheaper to install.

You can cut the outboard bolts off the three center caps and just use the inside bolts.

I would not mess with any other caps. You need all 5 so just suck it up and start with those.

You can probably find some X or R block take off caps. Those are plenty good enough for what you are doing. Those rear main caps are fully machined too. Ritter may even have some 2 bolt take off caps you can get from him.

That’s about the best options I know of.