Patent ID: 7695823

Claim:
A main bearing cap comprising: a powdered metal main body having a first side and a second side, said main body having a pair of spaced apart shoulders each extending outwardly and in opposite directions from opposing ends of the main body adjacent the first side thereof, said main body having a shaft receiving recess formed in the second side thereof, said main body having a pair of spaced apart first apertures formed in the second side and a pair of spaced apart second apertures formed in the second side, the second apertures flanking the recess and each of the second apertures disposed between one of the first apertures and the recess; and a reinforcing preform disposed in at least one of the second apertures and configured to receive a fastener for fastening the main body to the engine cylinder block, said preform locally strengthening an interior region of said main body adjacent said preform, wherein said preform includes at least one of a strength-enhancing coating disposed on an outer surface thereof and a strength-enhancing texture formed on an outer surface thereof, the outer surface of the preform being an exposed surface of the preform between the first side of said main body and the second side of said main body.