Bearing issue, HELP!

[siteunseen]

I'm putting the mains in and while installing realized something was wrong but I don't know how important it is.

 

I have Sealed Power bearings and I have 3 narrow .949" and 3 larger 1.27"  but that's not right.  I should have 4 narrows and 2 larger ones.  Should I stop and get another set or move on and have one that's oversized?  Will the bigger one catch on the camshaft?  I guess I should check that right now, just thought of it.

 

Thanks,

Cliff

[Chickenman]

Something doesn't sound right at all. I'd get a different set.  If memory serves me correct #1 and #7 have the wider shells and top and bottom always match. . #2,3,5 and 6 are slightly narrower. And of course #3 is the center thrust bearing.

Clevite Trimetals are a very good bearing.

[Zed Head]

Looks like you got a bad set.  I don't think a wide bearing can be used on a narrow journal anyway, so easy decision.

 

Monroe shows some good stuff on page 115 of his Rebuild book.  Also mentions that the shells with the holes go in the block.   And the size/thickness should be marked on each one.  More stuff to look for in your bad set.  

[siteunseen]

The set I got has the right block side, they put in an extra wider cap bearing. Luckily the one and only foreign car parts had a set of Clevites on hand. I ran downtown and got them just before he closed. I had no idea they are the same, '70 through '83. Luck was my lady today!

Thanks for the replies guys. Y'all are the best.

Cliff

[siteunseen]

I went back and got the Clevite 77s for the rod cap bearings too.  Made in Japan is better than Made in Mexico IMHO.  Sealed Power bearings are made in Mexico.  Yard Bird Man (Chicken Man) thank you, that was a good call on the tri-metal.  Appreciate that!

[Chickenman]

You're welcome. I got switched on to Trimetal bearings when I ran Vandervell Bearings ( from the UK ) way back in the 1980's on my SBC Race engines. Very high quality bearing. Vandervell is now part of the Mahle group.

 

http://www.vandervell.co.uk/

 

Clevite is also part of the Mahle group and is apparently using the Vandervell Trimetal design.

 

http://catalog.mahle-aftermarket.com/na/home/index.xhtml

Edited November 20, 2015 by Chickenman

[jonathanrussell]

I use the Clevite 77 bearings also. I recommend that you inspect each bearing very closely for scratches though. The way they package the set by situating the bearing shells front to back in a row is problematic. It is possible for some of the shells to rotate such that the edge of one shell ends up scraping the bearing surface of a shell situated behind it. I ended up having to buy two sets in order to end up with a full unscratched set.