Main Bearing Saddle Or Weld

Whats Preferred, Welding A Main Or Putting A Insert Before Line Bore? Kb Olds Cast Block, Rear Main

 

welding rear main

we had a kb stage 10 block that had a rear saddle in it,ran very well with no problems.we ran thru a series of passes with a new clutch with severe tire shake.killed the rear main again.took it to a machine shop that said he could fix it.I thought he was going to put another saddle "oversize" in the block with new rear cap,but when I showed up to pick it up much to my dismay he had welded the rear main up,put a new rear cap on it,then line bored it.I did not like it but it was already done so I picked it up and we assembled the motor.went to the next race,it lasted 1 pass-destroyed the rear main again & hurt the crank as well!! talked to kb thinking the block was destroyed,but he said the block losses it's integrity when you weld on a area that has that much load on it.sent it to kb,they machined all that weld out ,put a oversize saddle in the block with another new rear cap,line bored and sent it back to us .we put it together,ran it ever since with no problem!! I don't know if anybody else has gone thru this but I won't run a block with a welded rear main again. kind of car-526, brad 5 ,psi blower ,ta/fc

 

i've got a kb olds thats got a bolted saddle in the rear main don't have any trouble with bearing or anything

 

I have a TFX billet block with all 5 mains saddled and have zero main bearing problems. By the way blown fuel 92%

 

I have a TFX billet block with 2 saddles , #2 and #5 with no probs at all . I was skeptical at first but not anymore .

 

The saddle is the way to go. Be sure the seal area is not also damaged. Putting in a rear saddle is a little more difficult because you can't mill straight through. There is a better way to do this, send a PM and I can explain it.

 

Ok Looks Like She's Gonna Get The Saddle
Thanks