The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stamping Crankshaft main caps

Where is the best place to stamp the main crankshaft cap to keep from getting them mix up?

I was thinking of stamping them on the side near the bottom

I choose to stamp the main caps on the side, with a corresponding number nearby on the block to prevent getting the cap installed in the right location, but backwards. On the stovebolt engine, all the main bearing bores are different diameters, so it's virtually impossible to get one wrong front to back, but a couple of them can be turned 180 degrees out of position. Since the caps and blocks are machined straight (line bored) on the assembly line, they must be reinstalled in exactly the position they had before. Main caps are not interchangeable from one block to another without re-doing the line bore.
Jerry

dg

If one was not use to these engines they may be confused by the center two caps.
On what Chev calls the front intermediate cap, there is a "F" stamped in the front center of cap, which goes to the front end of the engine.
The rear intermediate cap has a "R" which goes to the rear of that cap when installed.

My fault I should have post this as a 230 engine.
All the caps except for the rear have an arrows point to the front of the block with an F and the same parts numbers on the 230 block.
But do have three numbers in the 100 series (128,143, etc) after the GM also on each cap that differ from the one before.
The rear cap has just a part number and really goes only one way as it houses one of the rear seals.

Again I apologize for the confusion. I didn't know the earlier sixes where marked another way then what I had.

Yes, you definitely need to number those caps- - - -if they get mixed up, you'll have major problems with bearing clearances. Just stamp numbers on the camshaft side of the bearing caps, 1 in the front, etc. If you choose, you can also stamp the block adjacent to the number on the cap, but the forward arrow should take care of the orientation of the cap.
Jerry

I had already plan to do that.
Was just trying to figure out the best location on the cap. Without damaging the cap.
I could just record the three digit numbers on the caps in the order they are position on the block. But some of them are not readable.
So stamping them is the best way to keep them in order.

I use a center punch, making the number of dots on the caps and crank to the cylinder number.

Don

I've been stamping bearing caps for almost 60 years - - -haven't damaged one yet. It's a chunk of steel, not an eggshell! Sometimes people over-think simple stuff!
Jerry

Thanks everyone for your input.
Someone once told me the only stupid question is the one that never asked.

Again thank you!

There are really no stupid questions, only stupid answers. Any time you need advice, don't ever be afraid to ask for it.

Thanks