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Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 10:13 am
by n2omike
With extra clearance bearings, I know you can use only one if only half a thou is needed. I believe I remember it being said it's best to use the extra clearance bearing in either the top or bottom... but cannot remember which.
So, do I put the looser bearing shell in the top or bottom... or does it really matter?
Thanks!
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 11:41 am
by engineguyBill
Bearing manufacturers recommend installing the thicker bearing shell in the lower position for main bearings and the upper position for rod bearings. However, I and many others have installed the thicker shells in the upper position main bearing location and the lower position of the connecting rod with no problems.
In summary, I recommend going by the bearing manufacturer's recommendations . . . . . . .
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 1:15 pm
by n2omike
engineguyBill wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2020 11:41 am
Bearing manufacturers recommend installing the thicker bearing shell in the lower position for main bearings and the upper position for rod bearings. However, I and many others have installed the thicker shells in the upper position main bearing location and the lower position of the connecting rod with no problems.
In summary, I recommend going by the bearing manufacturer's recommendations . . . . . . .
Thanks for the reply, Bill. I appreciate it!
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 1:29 pm
by BlitzA64
I have used them both ways myself, never saw an issue either way on disassembly. I guess like Bill said go with the bearing mfg suggestion, I always saved the extra bearings to use rather than use half a set then throw away the rest
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 3:34 pm
by needforspeed66gt
BlitzA64 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2020 1:29 pm
I have used them both ways myself, never saw an issue either way on disassembly. I guess like Bill said go with the bearing mfg suggestion, I always saved the extra bearings to use rather than use half a set then throw away the rest
Yep - I've done this too many times to count, never a problem and they look exactly the same on teardown.
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2020 11:48 pm
by modok
I was taught to use the thinner shell in the cap.
I can imagine some situations where the reverse would work better, tho it would be a rare case.
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 6:54 am
by BILL-C
We have used the thinner halves in either location in several hundred race engines with no issues.
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:11 pm
by PFC1
Maybe the bearing companies recommend only using certain halves in certain locations so you'll waste more bearing/thus they sell more. Just a thought. I regularly use them both ways w/o issue.
Re: Extra Clearance Bearings, Use One half, Top or Bottom?
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 6:27 am
by EDC
Would it really make a difference?
As long as the "thick" shells were installed on one side and the "thin" on the opposite, how would the crank/block know?
We're talking a .0005" delta?