Abstract: A powder metal main bearing cap has integral dowels at its adjoining face around bolt holes and tooth projections surrounding the dowels. The dowels are force fit into counterbores in the engine block and the teeth bite into the metal of the block around the bolt holes to inhibit fretting wear. Elongated bolt holes can be formed in the main bearing cap to accommodate a splayed joint, with the bolt head supporting face of the cap at an oblique angle to the hole. The bearing cap can be first pressed into the engine block so as to assure indentation by the teeth and insertion of the dowels, followed by bolting.