Hi, Just maybe a dumb question, but I have always wondered, why naileads only have 2 bolt main caps as the way the block is constructed it would appear you could add cross bolts like FE ford blocks or even newer LS motors Reason I ask is I always see conversion kits for early Hemis and all small block chevy motors eveyone want them and most other high performance engines seem to be must have. Is the Nailhead cranks that stiff or just because they do not live at the higher RPM's due to the heads not breathing the best? Thanks for the info in advance,
That would be my guess. The Nailhead has a stiff, strong, Y-block design and a forged crank. Coupled with a low-rpm design, it just doesn't need 4 bolt mains.
You are correct about the nailhead not breathing as well as other V8s. But you've got the cause and effect mixed. They don't have to breath so much because the peak power is reached at a lower RPM. And, those same small valves allow it to run at higher rpm without valve float.
Yep , what Walt says,,,, everything about a nailhead is heavy duty....3/8 rod bolts instead of 5/16.... big main bolts , heavy webs for the mains....heavy thick main caps,,,, forged steel cranks,, forged steel rods.... besides, if everything is right in the bottom end, 2 good main bolts will hold it.... if not, no amount of bolts will keep it from flying apart.... best insurance is good engine building, knowledge, and doing your homework on a given engine....and actually reading your tach..... ---------- Post added at 07:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 AM ---------- Yep , what Walt says,,,, everything about a nailhead is heavy duty....3/8 rod bolts instead of 5/16.... big main bolts , heavy webs for the mains....heavy thick main caps,,,, forged steel cranks,, forged steel rods.... besides, if everything is right in the bottom end, 2 good main bolts will hold it.... if not, no amount of bolts will keep it from flying apart.... best insurance is good engine building, knowledge, and doing your homework on a given engine....and actually reading your tach..... ---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:29 AM ---------- Splain that one.... ---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 AM ---------- Splain that one....why is this thing double posting?????
