Main caps for 304

Am I the only one who can't find new main caps or bolts ANYWHERE on the internet for a 304?? I've called Jegs and Summit and gone to all my usual parts sites and its as if they don't exist.. Do I need to replace either of those when I rebuild the engine?

 

You don't normally replace main caps when rebuilding an engine and they are specific to each block. When you strip a block keep the main caps with the block. When I worked in a machine shop we reinstalled the main caps and torqued them to specs for storage. If you suspect there is a problem with the main caps your machine shop can check them and line bore the block if necessary. I don't know a source for the caps becuase they normally dont wear out. Bolts ? possibly ARP.

 

Yes, if you replace the mains caps you must line-bore the block to make the bearing saddles parallel. No reason to replace the caps unless they are lost or broken. Also, you should mark the caps so that they go back in the same location and orientation. If the caps are mixed up, you must line-bore the block.

Mains bolts are seldom replaced. Head bolts and rod bolts, maybe.

No offense, but it sounds like you don't know what you are doing. I'd suggest you do a little reading and studying before you go further. Look at your factory manual and this book http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Builde...2452/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297529574&sr=8-1 - if the manual does not call for it, you probably do not need to do it.