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According to 2 engineers that are friends, it really doesn't make the block stronger. What is does do is keeps the main caps from walking to a point. This will help with longevity but not actual strength. There are also different types available. The aluminum ones don't do anything, as well as most of the mild steel ones. The only one that My engineer liked was one that is made out of 5/8" tool steel.
Most people make the mistake of adding a girdle to an already machined engine. This is very wrong. The machinework must be done with the girdle in place. That 5/8" tool steel girdle will distort the block. That is also a $400 girdle.
Using block fill and the girdle will make the block stronger but it is a bandaid at best.
Adding up the costs of doing it this way or buying a good block is about $800 difference. Not much when concidering you probably have $7k-$12k, (average for a small block), tied up in your engine.
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