[Lynn Eades]

Richard, I would understand if you were trying to wind 5 or 6000 rpm out of it, but its not a 1198 or 1340cc anglia. It is a flat head ford v8 which does not have a reputation for failing in the center main, certainly not in a near standard engine (and I doubt that you will ever rev it as high as 4000 rpm. It can't breath well enough)
If you were keen to line bore it, you could use the meatier cap from a 49 to 52 v8, but I guess a tart would stretch further for three steel caps.