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Like the title says, I’m beginning to think the previous owner of my car is not going to find the main caps for the original engine.(See my post “Oop’s I did it again”) to understand my problem. I’ve been looking on the internet, eBay, Facebook marketplace and it seems that early small journal main caps are hard to find. So I’m reaching out here to see if anyone on the Forum has a set with the bolts, though not a dealbreaker if no bolts. The caps I seek have 3951 stamped/cast into them. If you can help a brother out I would appreciate it. And yes I know I’ll have to have the block align bored/honed, for them to work correctly, but I gotta find the caps first.
Chris
Mr Trim, is there a reason you specifically need the 3951 caps? The reason I ask is because I also need a set of main caps for a 63 327. If 65PV has a set that is not marked correctly, then I may be interested in them if you're not.
Mr Trim, is there a reason you specifically need the 3951 caps? The reason I ask is because I also need a set of main caps for a 63 327. If 65PV has a set that is not marked correctly, then I may be interested in them if you're not.
If I researched correctly, the 3951 caps are nodular iron(stronger) and were used in hi performance applications from the factory. Now I’m not sure if it’s true but that’s what I’ve been told. Mine are missing so I figured If I have to replace them I might as well get the better ones. If I’m wrong I’m sure someone will tell me.
Chris
The caps I have are 7178 and the engine they are off of is a 1964 327 365 horsepower. I have some of the bolts, but I reused the windage tray and the bolts from it, so five of the original bolts are not there.
65 Pro Vette,
I beginning to think looking for 3951 caps may be looking for fools gold as they were used on both 327 and 350 engines. That said, how much for the caps? Also a 365 hp engine is definitely hi performance so I’m sure they would be fine for mine.
Chris
65 Pro Vette,
I beginning to think looking for 3951 caps may be looking for fools gold as they were used on both 327 and 350 engines. That said, how much for the caps? Also a 365 hp engine is definitely hi performance so I’m sure they would be fine for mine.
Chris
Mr Trim, is there a reason you specifically need the 3951 caps? The reason I ask is because I also need a set of main caps for a 63 327. If 65PV has a set that is not marked correctly, then I may be interested in them if you're not.
Pinball, I have a set of 7178 Caps if you're interested. I pulled them from a 327 years ago. Same deal, $100 plus actual shipping, OBO. Should fit in a USPS Flat Rate Box. Just let me know if you're interested.
65 Pro Vette,
I beginning to think looking for 3951 caps may be looking for fools gold as they were used on both 327 and 350 engines. That said, how much for the caps? Also a 365 hp engine is definitely hi performance so I’m sure they would be fine for mine.
Chris
I don't know for sure but I believe these caps would not have been used on 350 engines as 350 engines used a large journal crank and therefore small journal bearing caps would be different.
BUT large journal 327's ('68 & up) would probably share the same caps as 350's.
Like the title says, I’m beginning to think the previous owner of my car is not going to find the main caps for the original engine.(See my post “Oop’s I did it again”) to understand my problem. I’ve been looking on the internet, eBay, Facebook marketplace and it seems that early small journal main caps are hard to find. So I’m reaching out here to see if anyone on the Forum has a set with the bolts, though not a dealbreaker if no bolts. The caps I seek have 3951 stamped/cast into them. If you can help a brother out I would appreciate it. And yes I know I’ll have to have the block align bored/honed, for them to work correctly, but I gotta find the caps first.
Chris
I noticed a number of 283's and 327's listed as blocks or engines, for cheap, locally on Mooresville, NC facebook marketplace. Maybe one of them will check markings for you.
If I researched correctly, the 3951 caps are nodular iron(stronger) and were used in hi performance applications from the factory. Now I’m not sure if it’s true but that’s what I’ve been told. Mine are missing so I figured If I have to replace them I might as well get the better ones. If I’m wrong I’m sure someone will tell me.
Chris
I would like to read / access the source of your main brg cap info ?
I have read through small block specific engine building info from probably the most knowledgeable first gen small block builders in the world : Bill Jenkins and Smokey Yunick and while they talk about the horsepower levels that the stock caps are adequate for neither makes reference to any special or nodular iron caps.
Bill gets into some pretty esoteric details on blocks and cranks and cap preparation.
Somehow I doubt these caps would have been fitted to 283 engines.
65 Pro Vette,
I beginning to think looking for 3951 caps may be looking for fools gold as they were used on both 327 and 350 engines. That said, how much for the caps? Also a 365 hp engine is definitely hi performance so I’m sure they would be fine for mine.
Chris
350 engines ARE NOT small journal engines..........................
The information I found was on the internet both browsing and for sale adds. I also know you can’t believe everything you read only what you can prove in person. I also am aware that 350 engines were large journals. I received a nice set from 65 pro Vette and they will work fine for my needs. Thanks to all that posted with their thoughts.
Chris
I did ALL MY LEARNING before the internet was even imagined, from reading articles and books by people who knew what they were talking about
That is how you get factual information not the regurgitated "opinions" of blowhards you get these days LOL
I did ALL MY LEARNING before the internet was even imagined, from reading articles and books by people who knew what they were talking about
That is how you get factual information not the regurgitated "opinions" of blowhards you get these days LOL
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Main Cap Set
