i recently tore down my 96+ ERL block due to some complications with the block but i noticed something odd between my 95 gsr block main cap when compared to the 96+ block main caps

the 95 main cap tops dont have dowel pins


all the 96 main cap tops of dowel pins


my concern is im going to have my newly resleeved GE 95 gsr block built real soon. im going to use the ERL block girdle. im not sure if this is something i need to be concerned about or not. but i image that the dowel help set the girdle in place with the main caps. yes, there a few dowel pins on the tops of the 95 main caps but not all when you look at the 96 main caps. the 95 main caps do not have stepped (if that is the right word) insert to where the dowel pin can sit. what are your thoughts?

 

I know I'm deflecting the question a bit, but
Why not just use the gsr girdle? Why have the ERL at all?

 

because i already have the erl girdle and i have the arp main bolts as well. plus i want the added security with the beefier girdle over the stock.

 

There is no security in that, I'll say that now. You've already had bad luck holding onto these older parts from a build that just disappointed you and came out buggy. Start fresh. OEM girdle, with the mains to work with your crankshaft.

All you're doing at this point is complicating an issue that doesn't need to be. One of my turbo Honda's made more power than you're planning longer (by about 10 years) all because I kept it simple. No extra big name girdle, no crazy pans, just easy peasy, nice and greasy.

 

The five cap ERL main girdle is custom fitted to each block when installed. Using the dowels will likely require that your new block be line bored/honed to assure no cap or saddle deflection. Either use the stock girdle on the new GE sleeved block as Shodan has suggested above or use the ERL girdle without the dowels and double check the bearing clearance to be sure you have no ill effects.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I'm going to stick with stock 95 main caps and girdle. But I'll use arp main bolts instead of the stock bolts

 

You may know this already but ARP main cap bolts equals align hone. Even if it was align honed prior, changing girdle will equal align hone as well.

 

didnt know a bolt change can result in align hone, im fine with that. im going with arp main bolts and my OEM 95 main caps with the OEM girdle that all came with the block.

 

Higher torque specs means the mains deform slightly

 

so are you saying to not use these arp main bolts over the stock bolts?

update: started to do some digging and it seems that some people i know stuck with oem bolts. i still have mine and itll seem that i will stick with the oem for less hassle and cost.