Main girdle spacers

Newbies, and basic Stroker Recipes... Get started with your first stroker here!!
03GC
I think I'll order a "tab"
I think I'll order a "tab"
Posts: 43
Joined: December 19th, 2008, 5:30 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: WJ
Location: Mid Michigan

Main girdle spacers

Post by 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
"It's not what you buy, it's what you build"
03 Grand Cherokee
JK axle swap
5" lift
STROKER IN PROGRESS
User avatar
SilverXJ
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 5789
Joined: February 14th, 2008, 7:14 am
Stroker Displacement: 4.6L
Vehicle Year: 2000
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: Cherokee
Location: Radford, Va

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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
Donator
Donator
Posts: 1201
Joined: February 13th, 2008, 6:20 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: Wrangler
Location: Atlanta, Ga

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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.
User avatar
pma4x4
Where's the "any" key?
Where's the "any" key?
Posts: 29
Joined: January 18th, 2010, 11:13 am
Vehicle Year: 1996
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: XJ
Location: Arizona USA
Contact:

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by pma4x4 »

SilverXJ wrote: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
Uhm... Working on it

www.arbrtek.net

www.arizonaxj.com
YJason
Donator
Donator
Posts: 132
Joined: May 1st, 2009, 6:40 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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 think I'll order a "tab"
I think I'll order a "tab"
Posts: 43
Joined: December 19th, 2008, 5:30 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: WJ
Location: Mid Michigan

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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
"It's not what you buy, it's what you build"
03 Grand Cherokee
JK axle swap
5" lift
STROKER IN PROGRESS
User avatar
pma4x4
Where's the "any" key?
Where's the "any" key?
Posts: 29
Joined: January 18th, 2010, 11:13 am
Vehicle Year: 1996
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: XJ
Location: Arizona USA
Contact:

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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.
Uhm... Working on it

www.arbrtek.net

www.arizonaxj.com
User avatar
SilverXJ
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 5789
Joined: February 14th, 2008, 7:14 am
Stroker Displacement: 4.6L
Vehicle Year: 2000
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: Cherokee
Location: Radford, Va

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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.
User avatar
gradon
Donator
Donator
Posts: 1353
Joined: February 13th, 2008, 5:33 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6/280ci
Vehicle Year: 1996
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: Cherokee
Location: DC

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by gradon »

I had to use 2 per and also beat the pan.
stewie
Posts: 2
Joined: December 21st, 2009, 6:36 pm
Vehicle Year: 1996
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: XJ

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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?
User avatar
Cheromaniac
I live here
I live here
Posts: 3181
Joined: March 8th, 2008, 12:58 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4563cc
Vehicle Year: 1992
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: Cherokee
Location: Cyprus
Contact:

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by Cheromaniac »

gradon wrote: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.
1992 XJ 4.6 I6 - 5MT - Stroker build-up, Stroker "recipes" Sold
1995 Mustang GT - 4AT - Modded Sold
2006 Mustang GT - 5MT - Modded Midlife Crisis Car :mrgreen:
SIXPAK
Consistent
Consistent
Posts: 217
Joined: March 8th, 2008, 5:34 am
Stroker Displacement: 280

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by SIXPAK »

stewie wrote: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
I think I'll order a "tab"
I think I'll order a "tab"
Posts: 43
Joined: December 19th, 2008, 5:30 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: WJ
Location: Mid Michigan

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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
"It's not what you buy, it's what you build"
03 Grand Cherokee
JK axle swap
5" lift
STROKER IN PROGRESS
User avatar
pma4x4
Where's the "any" key?
Where's the "any" key?
Posts: 29
Joined: January 18th, 2010, 11:13 am
Vehicle Year: 1996
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: XJ
Location: Arizona USA
Contact:

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by pma4x4 »

Does anyone know which area or stud head on the girdle is the clearance issue?
Uhm... Working on it

www.arbrtek.net

www.arizonaxj.com
03GC
I think I'll order a "tab"
I think I'll order a "tab"
Posts: 43
Joined: December 19th, 2008, 5:30 pm
Stroker Displacement: 4.6
Vehicle Year: 2003
Vehicle Make: Jeep
Vehicle Model: WJ
Location: Mid Michigan

Re: Main girdle spacers

Post by 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
"It's not what you buy, it's what you build"
03 Grand Cherokee
JK axle swap
5" lift
STROKER IN PROGRESS
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests