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Rod & Main Bearings Recommendations

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bigarestorations

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After 2 1/2 year frame-off restoration on all but the engine, it's time! I have seen differences in brands of rod and main bearings discussed on the forums, but is there really one brand better than another? I would like to hear if someone, experienced with rebuilding, has an opinion. This is for a BJ8.
Thanks so much!
Bennet
 
Regardless of what brand you use, I heartily recommend getting them coated before installing. Coated bearing shells will outlast anything (coated pistons are a good thing too).

These guys have been doing it for a long time and are highly regarded > Polymer Dynamics, Inc < . It's not very expensive when you consider the gains in lifespan.
 
Having built and ran multiple big Healey race engines for years, I'm not a fan of the King bearings available currently for our motors. I've sourced many correct NOS Vandervell bearings for my needs. The second best choice would be the AE made bearings. BoyRacer on this forum
(RIchard Mayer) had many sizes of rod and main bearings made for the big Healey 6, you can PM him for info.
 
Thanks Bob!
dougie said:
Having built and ran multiple big Healey race engines for years, I'm not a fan of the King bearings available currently for our motors. I've sourced many correct NOS Vandervell bearings for my needs. The second best choice would be the AE made bearings. BoyRacer on this forum
(RIchard Mayer) had many sizes of rod and main bearings made for the big Healey 6, you can PM him for info.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info! Will reach out to him. Have a great week!
Bennet
 
I have both rod and main bearings for 6 cylinder engines.
 
Thanks for getting in touch! At the machine shop now. Will know soon which ones I'll need. The crank is original stock, so it will most likely need to be turned... we'll see... I'll be in touch as soon as I hear from them.
Thanks!
Bennet
 
You'd be surprised; the original crankshaft for my 100/6 engine came back from the machinist std/std after just being polished. They're pretty tough. Although it's been AGES since I put the 3000 engine together that's currently in my car (since 1986) I believe that one came back std/.010.

I don't do batches of bearings as often as I used to, but I DO have some polymer-coated bearings already on hand. These were for personal stock, so if you're interested, once you know what size bearings you'll need, buy them from Richard (aka BoyrRacer) and if I have them, we can do an exchange + cost for the DFL (dry-film lubricant) coating.

Some examples...

Mostly Big Healey, including thrusts, and a single set of BMW S54 rod bearings (right above the "BU" & "RD" @ bottom-center)

IMG_3851.jpg


Rod bearing comparison: BMW 3.2 Ltr/315hp @ 8000 rpm vs Austin 3.0/117hp @ 4800 rpm (IIRC?). Parasitic drag, much?

IMG_3857.jpg


Pistons too!

IMG_5973-me.jpg


20230630100314-f14bd4e0.jpg
 
Randy Forbes said:
You'd be surprised; the original crankshaft for my 100/6 engine came back from the machinist std/std after just being polished. They're pretty tough. Although it's been AGES since I put the 3000 engine together that's currently in my car (since 1986) I believe that one came back std/.010.

I don't do batches of bearings as often as I used to, but I DO have some polymer-coated bearings already on hand. These were for personal stock, so if you're interested, once you know what size bearings you'll need, buy them from Richard (aka BoyrRacer) and if I have them, we can do an exchange + cost for the DFL (dry-film lubricant) coating.

Some examples...

Mostly Big Healey, including thrusts, and a single set of BMW S54 rod bearings (right above the "BU" & "RD" @ bottom-center)

IMG_3851.jpg


Rod bearing comparison: BMW 3.2 Ltr/315hp @ 8000 rpm vs Austin 3.0/117hp @ 4800 rpm (IIRC?). Parasitic drag, much?

IMG_3857.jpg


Pistons too!

IMG_5973-me.jpg


20230630100314-f14bd4e0.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks Randy! Great info! Looking forward to getting all back from Mach shop... they're pretty backed up here so it might be a little while before they're done... I'll be in touch.
thx! Bennet
 
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