while we are on the subject of bolts, how come Chevy rear ends are measured in bolts and Fords are measured in inches? are 12 bolts bigger than 9 inches? what is the conversion factor? how many bolts to an inch?
I think when it comes down to telling about inches it is because you feel inferior. Little man syndrome or the like.
Agree 100% It is unbelievable the way some of you guys look down on someone because they might not know something. In the last little while things have gotten a little nasty with the way some of people treat others questions here on the HAMB. Get off your fucking high horse and help out a guy that wants to learn!
What I was getting at was that, for instance, 3970010 blocks came in both 2 and 4 bolt main form, but over the years, countless people have tried to convince me that the 4 bolt blocks were "special".
that's the way I felt when I went back to school after a few years working... if I had a question in class, I raised my hand and asked the professor... funny thing is, the youngsters all thought I was smart because I asked (and wasn't afraid to ask) questions... Go figure.
It ain't the size or number of bolts,but the strength of the individual bolt.At any rate,the bigger the engine,the smaller the johnson,yes? Most street SBC have less than 400 hp and are never run wide open for more than 15 seconds.........so............A 2 bolt main block with a cast crank should be ok.........
We sometimes talk out of both sides of our mouths.............we say "there are no stupid questions" then we jump on a guy for asking something he doesn't know. Not cool. It might seem that every rodder out there would know the difference between a 2 and 4 bolt, but if you have never had any experience with them or had someone tell you the differences, how would you know? As long as I have been playing with cars I still find stuff I have no idea about and have to ask for help. For example, I have never degreed a cam, just installed them out of the box. So when I wanted to learn how I posted that question and got lots of help. I bet some more experienced engine guys thought everyone should know that one and that I am a real dumbass. But if you don't know something you just don't know. Don
PB, You are the first person besides me that I have heard "307" (mine is a 1968 casting) in a sentence from without cursing it. It came along about the same time as the 350 and then GM killed the compression and choked it to death with bad heads which helps explain the bad comments about it but mine came rated at 220 HP which isn't anything to sneeze at. When someone asks me about the 350 (my 307) sitting under the work bench I have started telling them it is a stroked 283 which is essentially the truth. The 283 is 3.875(b) x 3.00(s) and the 307 is 3.875(b) x 3.25(s). So far everyone who has asked thinks it is really cool that I have a 283 stroker.
You are correct 4 bolt blocks just have different clamping points. All of that is a pretty mute point if your engine is properly built. An engine won't come apart if you build it right. It isn't normally a block failure on our kind of engines anyway, normally a rod pulls in two or a piston busts or a valve gets dropped. Occaisoinally someone spins a bearing, that again comes from improper build technique or the engine is just too worn to be run very hard. Now when you start throwing a heavy load of Nitro at one it is an entirely different game. that is why those guys don't use stock blocks any more. Not many of us are going to be dosing with nitro I am afraid. CB Any of them can be built it is just a matter of knowing what you are doing. TRW actually makes a higher compression piston for a 307, I used to know the number maybe someone can find one in a book. Stroked 283s were actually popular way back when. The bore to stroke ratio is real close to that of a 383 Chevy, so theoretically it could be considered a smaller version of the 383. Bore to stroke ratio is a very important part of engine building, I prefer an engine that is bore heavy myself but a lot of fellas prefer a long arm instead. A lot of it depends on what you intend the engine to do. I have a 307 in my '61 Willys, I tell everyone that it is a 283 they dont' know the difference. It is a good engine for the little crawler makes all it torque right off idle.
bingo beaner!! i wont pay the price difference between a 2 bolt and a 4 bolt,but i will pay the machine shop to splay my blocks. a lot of arguements on that one.but no matter i still prefer a splayed block.
The last time I was dosed with Nitro was in the back of an ambulance on the way to the hospital in full arrest. I will pass on that thanks.
The Ol' Man had angina and carried Nitro pills. He asked me if I wanted one once and I said I dunno will it make me see colors? He just laughed and said leary couldn't make you see colors you color blind SOB. We used to have a lot of fun, workin' and playin'.
I have 12 bolts. I don't understand what you are referrring to. my 1 ton van has 14 I think. I don't feel inferior, I feel EXferior.
EXACTLY right! Geez guys, some of you think you came out of the womb knowing what 4 bolt mains are? Kudos that the guy has the stones to say to a group of supposed "experts", "Hey, why is this called this or that?" Do NOT stop asking. Screw everyone else that needs to give you crap for it.
ford didnt want to confuse chevy guys that can only count to 12, with using a tape, JUST JOKEING GUYS LOL
I thought that the original question was good. A lot of people, especially beginners don't know what a 4 bolt is. I'm not calling anyone a rookie but isn't this whole forum to help each other? It's helped me a lot.
( this is not true for answers).ive ran both 2 and 4 bolt blocks never had an issue with either one.ive heard 4 bolts are stronger??any pictures out there of 2 bolt blocks that have failed due to only having 2 bolts.
Everybody likes a little ass....no one likes a wise ass. ( I LIKE BIG ONES TOO) "AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"
Much has been said about no stupid questions only stupid answers etc; however, it's been my often learned experience that-- the only stupid question is the one you don't ask!
I wonder if anyone who "knows all the answers" and has a hard time believing that someone does not know "that" ever read this post? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=643399
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