bolts on main bearing cap organization

1968 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE
7.4L • AUTOMATIC
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NTCCANNON218218
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a 454 BBC Mark 4 1990 with four bolt mains, I am ready to take it to a machine shop, how do you make sure the bering cap bolts get put back in the correct hole they were taken out of. I know they are different lenghts, so top and side are easy, but I have been told the exact bolt must go back in the same hole. is this true?
Sep 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,299 POSTS
The caps must go in the correct positions but the bolts don't need to be kept in specific spots. However I would suggest replacing the originals with new bolts like ARP or similar. 1990 was a while back and those bolts have seen a lot of heat cycles and tension stretch. I would also replace the head bolts and the connecting rod bolts as well for the same reason. Especially if you are planning or doing performance upgrades.
Sep 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM
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