The oldest Clevite 77 rod bearings may get used

[PackardV8]

I don't build BBCs, but am doing a welded stroker Packard V8 with SCAT 7.1" BBC rods. Pulling the smaller parts together, I came across a box of Clevite 77 CB956P, dated 11/72. Can't even remember how I came to have them.

As I remember, these were the bearings of choice back in the day. Any reason you wouldn't use them today? After all, it's a retro build.

[statsystems]

That is just cool as hell. Yup, I'd use them and call it a retro rebuild. HA!

[wyrmrider]

Used a lot of those
you are GOLDEN

[MadBill]

I just swapped out a set of 1972 date-stamped Clevites from my nostalgia cross ram BBC.(everything period correct for 1970 except the cam and valve gear) Still perfectly usable but I went with coated replacements; the 0.002" under rear main it had is NLA, but with the coating a 0.001" under comes out at 0.0035".

[engineguyBill]

The bearings will work fine, Jack. Remember also, that back in the 60's and 70's TRW engine bearings were actually Clevite bearings.

[Truckedup]

I used to searh to find NOS Clevite 77 type bearings for my vintage junk...There were quite a few tri metal bearing manufacturers but I believe Clevite 77 was a trademark for the tri metal process..Delco Moraine 400 is the same..
For the record, Allison Engineering who later built the V12 aircraft engine,designed the first "modern" bearings with a steel shell around 1922 ...Rolls Royce tried to make them and failed and had to buy licensing rights from Allison to manufature them..

[SupStk]

I’d use those bearings without a second thought. Measuring them, you’ll probably find they are more consistent than current manufactured ones.
A some time back I was having bearing issues with “P” bearing in performance builds that never had problems before. The temporary fix was using those older bearings when I could find them. Then about fast as the problems arrived, they went away.

[SupStk]

Just noticed this is a zombie thread.... it came back to life!

[chevyfreak]

Just noticed this is a zombie thread.... it came back to life!

Been a couple of them.
With the new format its quite some interesting reads, even if its old, i dont mind it.