Block girdles, yay or nay

if you're cutting off the splayed section then what's the benefit of even getting them? At that point I'd assume a well prepared set of factory caps would be just as good or no?

The splayed caps are nice pieces, except for the splayed parts... :) It was counter point of putting bad parts on an OEM block.

Use the factory caps, save money, they are pretty tough. Girdles and caps on OEM SB blocks is a waste. All good.