Girdles primary task is to prevent the caps/fasteners from "flag-poling", which contributes to fretting. Think of it as a vibration issue. Aluminum caps help due to their vibration absorption properties.
Since conventional wedge blocks are not reinforced at the cross bolt locations like hemi blocks were/are, cross bolting is less effective, although something like what Dvorak does seems to be useful.
The Line2Line stuff stays on, except where it "wears in" from what they were saying at PRI and from the one case I've seen.
I agree that the stock rods are the weak point, I'd get a set of Molnars, or even Eagle/Scat and it'd be a significant step up in strength.
A girdle and aluminum caps with Molnar rods and a short fill should live forever with the 3.75" crank and Source heads. Unless you spray it. S/F....Ken M
