Hi guys. I don't often post in the technical area. We've had a few slant 6s in the family over the years, but I've never personally had one apart.

I caught this episode of Uncle Tony taking a slant 6 apart. At about the 2:17 mark, he has the pan off, and mentions the stud "girdle". Now, I've seen stud girdles for V8s before...usually a fairly thick plate. This item appears to be very thin stamped steel, which would appear to me to offer no structural rigidity at all. Then again, I can't think of what other purpose it would serve (too think to be a windage tray), and Tony probably has forgotten more about engines than I will ever know.

Is he right? Is this a girdle?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJDMwlftNQY

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DynoDave
1970 Plymouth Duster
1972 Dodge Charger Rallye
1977 Chrysler Cordoba
WPC # 12304

That is not a slant six MOPAR engine.

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Hyper_pak

It's a 4.0L Jeep engine.

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN

Its not a windage tray that's for sure.

It is some sort of girdle or main cap support.

Since it is a stock looking piece I would guess it is a factory part. Less skookum than what you would see in a LA, B, or Hemi Racing engine.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Jeep Girdles on 4.0's began in '96.
https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/first ... e.2326825/

Nice... then that means My XJ. "Should" have one installed.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Think a Slant Six would benefit from something like that?

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN

I have no Idea, I have no way to test the effectiveness of such device.

One already exists on paper and or digital paper and cannot fit into any stock pan or passenger car frame.
https://crank-scrapers.com/CHRYSLER/Chr ... GIRDLE.jpg

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

That's almost funny. A 'little' overkill, I have a stud girdle on a stroked 440 that is nowhere near that thick. Stud girdle only needs to stabilize the main caps to prevent 'cap walk'. Is main cap walk even a problem with race slants? It is usually just seen on Mopar big blocks when they get to the 600 HP level and beyond (mine is on a supercharged engine).
I was just curious. I doubt any of the slants I have built could ever experience that problem.
jus sayin.....

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN

I think a Slant 6 might need a stud girdle when you get above the 500-600 HP level. There are very few Slant 6 engines that have ever made that level of HP. This is a very beefy block and crank, even the cast crank versions.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

Billet main caps from a 440 would probably have the same benefits as a girdle. And might be more economical....

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

That has been done before. The Thrust Cap needs modified..

Ceeeeeeeeeeeeej has done it if my memory is correct.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Yes, many have done it and it is a good upgrade for high HP builds. Trying to use a girdle correctly would require the stock caps to be milled flat on their tops to a uniform consistent height and then longer main studs installed and then align honed. Billet caps probably use a common bolt or stud length, so nothing custom about the fasteners needed to use billet caps vs. a main girdle....

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!

Seems to me that a certain feller with a supposed billet aluminum head, that has never been seen, had a stud girdle in is engine. Surely all custom stuff ( girdle, pan...etc) and uneeded for 99% of us. Even those of us who race. You say, Rob posted pictures?? Yeah I know, but I am beginning to suspect that he used his vast photoshop skills after all these years and never having seen this thing at a race!!

Sorry I couldn't find the picture of his block.

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

A girdle is mainly used to fight cap walk. I have never seen any evidence of it happening in my junk. We really (well most of you) don't turn enough rpm to have cap walk anyway.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I don't think that N/A you would ever reach a level of power to need a girdle on these engines, even with a billet head. Now forced induction is another matter. High boost and HP adds a new level that few with a Slant ever see. If you put billet caps on your block and then doweled the caps, I doubt a girdle would add much else protection-wise, other than just peace of mind...

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There's no such thing as too much cam....only not enough engine!