360 main cap bolts--use washers??

[PaulS]

The 360 short block on my stand is ready to accept its new windage tray from MP; should I use the 8 washers that came with the kit under the main cap bolts?

The special MP main bolts for the windage tray are the same length as the stock bolts-- the short block had no washers under its main cap bolts....will the washers affect the strength of the mains by reducing thread engagement??

Please help a confused first-time engine builder!

Cheers, Paul.S

[tmef]

I was originally going to use the washers on my 360, but then the oil pan wouldn't mate with the block. It would rest on the windage tray before meeting the block. That was a stock truck oil pan.

[Dart]

I ditched the washers. Done this on Three different SBs. The length was the same on the main bolts so why would I run the washers? Sort of one of those wierd things MOPAR does.

[PaulS]

Thanks for the advice guys, I won't use them.

Sure does create suspicion when a manufacturer includes an odd number of "extras" in the deal....

Cheers, Paul.S

[Jims451]

I don't use the washers either, it put the windage tray too far from the crank.

I have used the washers on top of ARP main studs to backup the factory windage tray when used with the ARP main stud kit