87 TII crank into common block ?

[xjjunkie]

starting to gather parts for the bottom end of my 2.2 dohc project. have a 87 tII short block, but would like to use a common block (for the extra strength). will my 87 TII crank work in this block. I also found a set of MP billet main caps, will they work on the common blocks also ?

scot

[4 L-bodies]

Your 87 forged crank will not work in a common block that does not have the fuel pump cutout. They did make some replacement blocks with the fuel pump cutout that has the additional webbing (like the common block). However these are fairly rare. If you like hunting for needles in haystacks, you now have a quest.

Yes the billet main caps will work after align boring block. Since you are building a stout bottom end, I would also recommend ARP main studs as well.

If you wind up using a common block note that six of the ten studs are a different length. Do a search for main cap studs for more info.

[xjjunkie]

4 L-bodies, do know why the 87 TII crank will not fit ?

scot,

[4 L-bodies]

In a nutshell, the crank snout is different for the common block. The common block uses an aluminum adapter to seal the crankshaft and oilpan. The early blocks did not use this adapter.
Common blocks will require a common block oil pan as well. If you go common block buy a complete short block, otherwise you will need to hit the salvage yards for misc. parts.

[russ jerome]

This comes up now and again, you can have the early snout welded
and turned "down" to the common block OD (longer and smaller. Use
stock common block/pan/seal. Not worth the effort since nobody has
ever broke a cast crank and forged 2.2 cranks are not that uncommon.

[rwboring]

i ran into this same problem... if you look at the oil pan it is different and so are the front and rear block-pan seals that the crank goes through... this might not seem big but the bolt holes are different also.,... i didnt risk drilling and taping the block but it might be possible

[Reaper1]

Russ is correct on this one. I actually have a crank that I had custom ground for a 3.75" stroke(long story) and it is an early style that is made to fit the CB. It CAN be done, but it really isn't worth all that effort...

[Radiant_Red]

the 87 TII crank will fit in the common block but it is the side seals that will never work ( huge gaps ) without EXTENSIVE machine work.. i used to have pics of this but my computer crashed and wiped em all out.. and as mentioned above it really isnt worth it..

[russ jerome]

Missed the point, common block/pan/seals (all of them)
will work with non-common crank. Need to weld shallow
end and turn 100% of seal area to match OD of common
snout. Been done before, waste of money we know for sure.