Main girdle spacers

[03GC]

Has anyone measured how thick the spacers need to be to space the girdle away from the crank and rods? I know "one or two washers " will do it but I would like to get (or make) my spacers before I start putting my engine together.
Thanks
Paul

[SilverXJ]

The washers I used averaged .0815" thick. I got them at lowes or home depot. They are hardened and zinc coated. I use two per bolt. I'm actually surprised no one is selling a "kit" for this yet.

[dwg86]

I only had to use 1 per bolt. When the machine shop balanced my rods, enough material was taken off the bottom of the big end to clear the girdle with only 1 washer.

[pma4x4]

The washers I used averaged .0815" thick. I got them at lowes or home depot. They are hardened and zinc coated. I use two per bolt. I'm actually surprised no one is selling a "kit" for this yet.

I was wondering this myself. I am starting a stroker project and would like something a bit better then washer.

The shop I work for does deal with water jet cutting and I can harden these spacers in our shop.

Is there enough of a market?

Is it just one size/thickness of spacer or are there many?

I may just make them

[YJason]

Why not buy hardened washers from a bolt and nut supply store? Thats what I used, and watch out using regular stamped washers they very in thickness.

[03GC]

I know hardened washers will work . But how thick? There are many thicknesses avail ,and I do not want to space the girdle any farther than I have to. I would like keep the nuts in the locking portion of the nut. I am going to check it out and i'll post what I come up with.
It probably varies from engine to engine (balance job on rods for instance).
Paul

[pma4x4]

Wanna let me know what you come up with? I am probably just gonna water jet cut mine and harden them at our shop.

[SilverXJ]

As DWG said he had to use only one washer. I am a bit confused by this as I thought the rods were matched to the lightest, which would have meant in his case that one of the rods already had a smalled balancing pad to start with.

In my case I needed two. I also had to beat the piss out of my oil pan to provide the extra clearance for the main girdle. I think most people end up needing two though.

[gradon]

I had to use 2 per and also beat the pan.

[stewie]

I have heard that the oil pan from a 4.2 is a little bit deeper than our 4.0 oil pans. Would that be sufficient to avoid needing to clearance it?

[Cheromaniac]

I had to use 2 per and also beat the pan.

I also used two washers as girdle spacers but I only needed to clearance the oil pan from the Melling HV pump.

[SIXPAK]

I have heard that the oil pan from a 4.2 is a little bit deeper than our 4.0 oil pans. Would that be sufficient to avoid needing to clearance it?

NEGITIVE in my case. I use the 258/4.2 pan and had to massage the front and rear of the pan with a hammer.

[03GC]

The oil pan clearance issue is a problem I am working on. I am making a form to use in a press to clearance the pan for the girdle. I am going to stretch the pan about 3/16" so there will not be any chance for rubbing.
Some of the mystery noises people get in engines could be parts just contacting sheetmetal (oil pans or valve covers)
I will post pics when I get the pan done .
I also know that a "BFH" works for clearance issues, but I wanted to try something a bit more civilized.
Paul

[pma4x4]

Does anyone know which area or stud head on the girdle is the clearance issue?

[03GC]

Looks to me it's the flat part of the girdle that hits. Studs stay the same length as stock, just the nuts move closer to the pan .

Paul