how did you know guys that a engine is 2 bolt or four bolt on crankshaft ?? I know it's look like a beginner question and you it's thrue it's what I'am so if you have pic's that can be very good to compare Thanks
Here's a shot... Here's how it was explained to me. PLEASE wait until someone says yay or nay on this. When you look at the connecting rod, where the main bearings fit around the crankshaft, I was told that the number of nuts that connect the two pieces of the connecting rod determines if it's a 2 or 4 bolt. (Do I even understand what I just typed? My head hurts from thinking) DO you get what I'm trying to say? That's about all of the damage I can do. Country
it's referring to the number of bolts that hold the main cap down on to the block.....the only production ford block with 4-bolt mains was the boss 302......
This is what a 4-bolt main looks like...see the 4-bolts that hold down the center three caps. Only two bolts hold down the end caps on this block, a 2 bolt block only has 2 bolts holding down every cap.
Now now Stephen that may have been the only small block with 4 bolt mains........but I have a 429 scj block that would beg to differ on the "ONLY" ford production 4 bolt main was the boss 302
and the boss '9, and not to mention the cross-bolted FE's. The 4.6 modulars are cross-bolted as well. :bananaman
He was obviously referring to the "90 degree-V series" Ford engines (221-302 & 351 Windsor), which is what these cars came with. All were 2-bolt mains except for the Boss, as was already mentioned. Those Chevy guys just love their 4-bolt main motors and always make it a point to tell everyone if they have one, but the fact of the matter is, 4-bolt mains for these engines are simply UNnecessary, which is why Ford made them all 2-bolt. Sure, if you're gonna spin 8000RPM or more, you'll want 4-bolts, but the fact is that rods and pistons are far more likely to break than blocks and cranks. So what I am saying is don't worry about your 302 or 351 only having 2-bolt mains; they're just fine...
I agree with T.L. My motor as seen 7,800 rpm's several times. And even hit 8,000 or so when my tranny went south on me. These little "2 bolt small blocks" can handle some ponies. I would suggest a girdle, though. Whats in it? ahhhhh 302, 2 bolt!
I regularily spin my motor 7500 RPM + . 500 passes on it so 4 bolts are not necesary In fact I have only seen one "windowed" 302 . The are tough little motors . Has anyone else ever seen a bottom end let go on one ?
Yes, I was referring to the "windsor" family of small blocks........as for the strength, the 2-bolt design is good but ford never intended them to be making "ALOT" of horsepower!! here's what happens when a 2-bolt ford small block has had enough!! My brother did the same thing to the motor in his mustang and it was just a street car on nitrous w/ over 100,000 miles on the motor.
Well, I never spun my motor over 6800 and I had a main let go. Cracked the third main webbing all the way to the valley. The newer 5.0l blocks are more common for this than the older blocks or so I have been educated to believe. Hell I had to swap the old six banger back in while I rebuild(almost done). Luckily I saved the 6 just in case cuase ya never know. Lance
