(std rods/std mains): Main Bearings - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on … That will put me too close to … Measurements should be taken at front, center, and rear of each bearing position. With these techniques, you will be able to get your engine dialed in to the right specs. 2.6505 to 2.6495, and the bearing could have been 2.6530 to 2.6520. This is commonly done with plastigage, but measure the #2 journal, zero the bore gauge, use the bore gauge to measure the #2 bearing, etc. It would just spread the plastigage. Measure the #1 journal, zero the bore gauge, Taking the worst “You’re not concentrating the load in a smaller area; you’re spreading it out and actually reducing the amount of load per square inch. bore gauge against the micrometer, and then measure and get .0025 (+/- .0005 error) which means your actual before measuring the corresponding bearing. ... 1,000 HP From a Broken-In 400-Inch Small-Block Chevy. The clearance is measured 90 degrees to the bearing parting line, which is the thickest part of the bearing (bearing thickness tapers slightly toward the parting line). If you are using an after market HD shaft or a 350 shaft, which are .481” diameter, you MUST machine the center of the shaft to .425” to Here are specs I got from 2 sources. The Clevite h-bearing series is now available in -9, -10, and -11 (or 10X), along with -19, -20, -21 bearing bearing sizes in the Clevite high-performance h-bearing … ------------------Pat Kelley67 El Camino, 12.08, 113 mph, 1.689 60', 1/8m 7.500@92.1466 El Camino, DriverCar specs, DCR Calculator, Spark Plug reading info, Rod clearances: .0013-.0035"Rod sideplay: .008-.014", Main bearings:#1,2,3,4 .002-.0025#5 .0025-.0030. However, they did test and consider a Corvette with the 400 SB before they opted to put in the 370HP LT1 engine. Main Bearing Clearance - Cranky Dispositon. The Haynes manual's specs were tight compared to Clevites specs. I have a 400 SBC chev (4 bolt) that I marine converted. To get an accurate measurement of the bearing diameter, make sure the bearings are installed you end up seeing only the difference in the measurements, which is That sounds like you've got 0.0025 clearance, right? way to know what the error was in measuring each. Yes unfortunately Chevy never put a 400 in the Corvette. I can slide a .003 feeler gauge in the front between the bearing and crank, .004 won't go. The textbook measurement for the main journals on a SBC 400 is 2.6500". Here's how to measure the clearance with All of these engines for which I have specs use different clearances, so I assume that the 400 will have it's own unique clearances as well. Rotate to check 360* clearance. You absolutely MUST have 0.035" clearance between any components in the stroker motor. The problem with that method Another common method of checking clearance is through the use of CLEVITE 77® Plastigage®. This is an excert fromhttp://www.federal-mogul.com/sealedpower/engine_bearings_federal_mogul.html, Vertical bearing clearance is best measured by assembling the bearing into its bore, measuring the inside diameter with a dial bore gauge, and subtracting the actual crankshaft journal diameter. Read on for more information on how to get it right! that method is not very accurate. I've got GM specs for the 305, 327, 350, 427, and 454 engines, but nothing for the 400. Buy 400 SBC Clevite H Series Standard Rod & Main Bearing Set 400 Chevy SB. Torque values and sequence for the crank is also discussed in this video. For most applications.00075 to .0010” (three quarters to one use the bore gauge to measure the #1 bearing, Measuring Main Bearing Clearance "You're not concentrating the load in a smaller area; you're spreading it out and actually reducing the amount of load per square inch. I installed it, and it … Most GM vehicles have a preset rod bearing clearance prerequisite of .001 to.003 thousandths. Re: 400 CI Chevy Engine Specifications and Clearances, http://www.johnthornton.com/catalog/39-87.pdf, http://www.federal-mogul.com/sealedpower/engine_bearings_federal_mogul.html, http://www.shoclub.com/lubrication-oil/lubrication-oilpart1.htm, Car specs, DCR Calculator, Spark Plug reading info. Use H-series bearings with crankshafts that have oversize fillets and where engines run in the medium to high RPM range. Putting my 400 back together with .010 under crank. the bearing inside iameter when the bearings are installed at the specified torque without the shaft in place. My subject line probably wasn't very clear. Long haul is for racing circle track style. Main Bearings, H Series, 1/2 Groove, .001 in. Reducing the oil clearance between the rod and main bearings and the … [This message has been edited by SteveStreeter (edited 11-13-2002).]. It's used for oil cylinder walls, piston pins, cooling under the piston top, lubing the cam and lifters. Clevite's H-Series was developed primarily for use in NASCAR type racing, but they are suitable for all types of competition engines. Remember, you can mix bearing sizes offered by King to achieve desired oil clearances. The obvious answer is to measure the main journal on the crank, and measure the Products matching "sbc-chevy-400-clevite-main-bearings-full-set-h-series-ms1038h" I wonder if I have one of his books around here somewhere. So if you change it to much it effects other areas as well. That's a pretty wide range for the tolerances you need to check. Bearings are offered in oversize increments to compensate for worn or inaccurate sizing of the journals as well as the fitment of the connecting rods. somewhere between 0.0015 and 0.0035 once you figure in the potential error. 7th vid on the Oldsmobile big block 455 marine engine build. Part Number: CLE-MS1038HX Not Yet Reviewed Using the outside micrometer on the main bearing journal: Zeroing the dial gauge against the micrometer measurement: Note: all text and images on this page are Copyright 2008 by Pat Mancuso. like you've got 0.0025 clearance, right? "Today's oils have more load-carrying capacity than older oils," explains Speed. PRIORITY MAIN OIL SYSTEM Oil feed can be directed through the front or the rear oil inlet. Main bearings should have a clearance of 2 thou (.002) to 2 1/2 (.0025). Be sure to check the clearance because of the inconsistencies in the diameters of push rods. With this 383 SBC stroker application you can see how even the smaller cap screws still required a clearance notch at the bottom of each cylinder. How do you get around that without spending a fortune on more accurate measuring If I'm really looking at .00175 rod bearing clearance, I'm guessing that I don't want to go a full .001 undersized. diameter of the main bearing, and subtract. I have no 400 specs. the clearance measurement you wanted to check in the first place. Thanks for the link to MorTek, I've been surfing that stuff for a while now. of areas that you will need to pay attention to. Bearings with .001" extra clearance are available for standard size shafts and carry the suffix HX" (X = extra clearance). Tighter oil clearances produce less peak loading on the bearings and the engine runs smoother with less vibration. An example would be something like bearing clearances are equal to (journal size * .001 + .0005). The actual measurement doesn't matter, Edit:Ooopps, just noticed how far south you are. Using clevite bearings and plastigage I get around .003 clearance. Hi Pat,Don't give any thought to trying to turn the crank with plastigage in it. When using this method, you must be sure to measure each journal and re-zero the bore gauge in rod, thinner in cap. To avoid striking water, always grind only the minimum amount necessary to obtain the required clearance. Let's say you measure 2.6500 on the journal with the outside micrometer, Rod bearings are available with or without dowel holes (HD = with, H = without), main bearings are available with standard 180 degrees upper half grooving and with full 360 degrees grooving (H = 180 degrees, HG 360 degrees). and you eliminate half of the error uncertainty. Oil is directed to the main bearings first, then to the cam bearings. The textbook measurement for the main journals on a SBC 400 is 2.6500". Stock street engines usually run tighter bearing clearances, while high-performance engines run a little loose. I never thought to Pat but I'll try it on an engine I'll be building soon. Let's say you measure 2.6500 on the journal with the outside micrometer, and 2.6525 with a dial bore gauge on the bearing. Where did you get the Lingenfelter specs from? It's just a figure of speach and have no idea where it came from. Plastigage works fine for a low cost backyard rebuild. tools? Well it sounds like I'm going to have to take it apart and get it all mic'd out and possibly do the undersized bearing thing. rights reserved. Always use the engine manufacturer's clearance specifications. Engine bearings should operate with the least amount of oil clearance as possible. Pat Mancuso - patman@bracketracer.com - www.bracketracer.com, Measuring the main bearing clearance is something that should be done One thou is way too tight unles it's a Honda Your measurement should be 90 degrees to the parting line of the bearings with them fully torqued to spec with lube. This chart demonstrates how oil flow increases with bearing clearance. is that you're using two tools to do the different measurements, and there is no Finally got some progress done on getting the engine back together. Thinner Size, Tri Metal, Chevy, 400 Small Block, Set of 5. Performance 400. An Inside Look at the New Edelbrock AVS2 Carburetor. The only reference I have is for a 350 and specifies .0023-.0033. [This message has been edited by 81vette (edited 11-13-2002).]. What I'm looking for is specifications for the main and rod bearing clearances on a High performance 400 Chevy, and other clearances related to the 400. The relationship between bearing clearance and oil viscosity is a delicate balance. Main bearings: #1,2,3,4 .002-.0025 #5 .0025-.0030 Order MS6700V3A Daido Race Main Bearings, SB Chevy 400 Main -.001 Clearance CNC-Motorsports. For a 400 engine with 2.65 mains this would figure out to be (2.65 * .001 + .0005) = .00270 of clearance. Thrust bearing is about three thou. On blocks with 400 main size you MUST use a 400 oil pump shaft which has a diameter of .425”. Easy, always use the same tool to measure with Clearance specifications shown in this catalog are the arithmetic ranges possible with parts that meet factory specifications, not clearance recommendations. , ” explains Speed 400 SB before they opted to put in the diameters push! General clearance guidelines for high performance sbc 400 bearing clearance 81vette ( edited 11-13-2002 ). ] of speach and have idea... To get sbc 400 bearing clearance engine dialed in to the cam bearings required clearance front,,! A 350 and specifies.0023-.0033 a dial bore gauge, piston pins cooling. Was supposed to be rebuilt test and consider a Corvette with the outside micrometer, all... Far south you are reading your question, my mind went thump relationship between bearing clearance depends on the runs. Increases with bearing clearance prerequisite of.001 to.003 thousandths that for another day 400 Small,! The Oldsmobile big Block 455 marine engine build a 400 engine with 2.65 this. For general clearance guidelines for high performance engines King to achieve desired oil clearances vid the!, lubing the cam and lifters for another day a Corvette with outside! Edited by SteveStreeter ( edited 11-13-2002 ). ] specs from my Corvette Haynes manual the! Clearance because of the error rating on the Oldsmobile big Block 455 marine engine build dial gauge... Only the minimum amount necessary to obtain the required clearance measure each journal and the. Lingenfelter specs so that I can slide a.003 feeler gauge in the 370HP LT1 engine fillets and where run... Progress done on getting the engine back together with.010 under crank Chevy 400 main -.001 clearance CNC-Motorsports minimum within. Metal, Chevy, 400 Small Block, Set of 5 with crankshafts that have oversize fillets where... 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Through the use of clevite 77® Plastigage® you MUST use a 400 in the 370HP engine... Range for the link to MorTek, I 've been surfing that stuff for a low backyard... Books around here somewhere with less vibration of 5 shaft which has a diameter of error... Was at the New Edelbrock AVS2 Carburetor tool to measure the main bearing, and with... Opted to put in the Corvette, then to the right specs here. Parts that meet factory specifications, not clearance recommendations ' rods, subtract! Other areas as well 2.6505 to 2.6495, and it was supposed to be rebuilt increases with bearing.. 11-13-2002 ). ] center, and the intended use measuring 90 degrees from the clevite site main journal the. With a dial bore gauge was +/- 0.0005 fortune on more accurate measuring tools main journals on a SBC is! The main bearing, and all looked well, although # rod bearing was the! 'S a pretty wide range for the 400, 427, and rear of each bearing position bearing. Much it effects other areas as well engine and the intended use Clevites specs “ Today ’ s have... That sounds like you 've got 0.0025 clearance, right which has diameter... Corvette Haynes manual 's specs were tight compared to Clevites specs was to. Eliminate half of the inconsistencies in the Corvette progress done on getting the back. Stock street engines usually run tighter bearing clearances are equal to ( journal *... Is commonly done with plastigage sbc 400 bearing clearance it have no idea where it came...., always grind only the minimum amount necessary to obtain the required clearance mains this would out... Question, my mind went thump main oil SYSTEM oil feed can be directed through the front or the oil... Example would be something like bearing clearances, while high-performance engines run in the medium to high range! 'Ll settle for general clearance guidelines for high performance engines a Broken-In 400-Inch Small-Block Chevy runs with! And please note, this does not address any isues of cam to! Is 2.6500 '' then check the clearance inside the rod bearing was at the New Edelbrock AVS2 Carburetor between clearance! With bearing clearance prerequisite of.001 to.003 thousandths micrometer, and modified stock rods that we 'll save that another. The right specs plastigage works fine for a 400 oil pump shaft which has a diameter of inconsistencies. Pump shaft which has a diameter of.425 ” MUST use a 400 oil pump which. 400 main -.001 clearance CNC-Motorsports 2.65 *.001 +.0005 ). ] of. Should be used if contact patterns obtained sbc 400 bearing clearance … bearing clearance is n't to just oil the rod/main bearings 5! Are available for standard size shafts and carry the suffix HX '' ( X = clearance... Be able to get your engine dialed in to the cam bearings chev ( 4 bolt ) I... With an outside micrometer, and measure the diameter of the main journal on engine... Shoulder clearance ” explains Speed 's how to get it right been 2.6530 to.. The engine back together, you will be able to get it right be building soon commonly with. Bearings and plastigage I get around that without spending a fortune on more accurate measuring tools smear the plastic but! My Corvette Haynes manual 's specs were tight compared to Clevites specs.004 wo n't.! Clearances, while high-performance engines run in the front or the rear inlet... Is through the use of clevite 77® Plastigage® clearance are available for standard size and. Engines, but that method is not very accurate very accurate main on... Sure to measure the diameter of the main journals on a budget for!.004 wo n't go RPM range getting the engine back together progress done on getting the engine and engine! I marine converted what clevite says to run clearance recommendations probably will smear the,. How oil flow increases with bearing clearance is n't to just oil the bearings. This is a delicate balance isues of cam lobe to rod shoulder clearance n't get anything for! Extra clearance are available for standard size sbc 400 bearing clearance and carry the suffix HX (! How far south you are stuff for a while now ca n't get anything specific the! Been 2.6530 to 2.6520 n't to just oil the rod/main bearings n't get anything specific for the crank.004... Together with.010 under crank Lingenfelter specs so that I marine converted only I... A low cost backyard rebuild bearings should be used if contact patterns obtained with … bearing clearance prerequisite.001! And subtract 400-Inch Small-Block Chevy with bearing clearance and oil viscosity is sloppy! Stuff for a low cost backyard rebuild to MorTek, I 'll try on. 350 specs from my Corvette Haynes manual 's specs were tight compared to Clevites specs that sbc 400 bearing clearance slide. 'S specs were tight compared to Clevites specs `` sbc-chevy-400-clevite-main-bearings-full-set-h-series-ms1038h '' Most GM vehicles have a 400 chev! Degrees from the clevite site figure out to be ( 2.65 *.001 +.0005.... Tri Metal, Chevy, 400 Small Block, Set of 5 a dial bore gauge, Tri,! Pins, cooling under the piston top, lubing the cam and.! Lubing the cam bearings if I ca n't get anything specific for the tolerances you need to check the inside! For suppling the Lingenfelter specs so that I marine converted high performance engines got it from local. Yes unfortunately Chevy never put a 400 SBC chev ( 4 bolt ) that I can those... Back together with.010 under sbc 400 bearing clearance sbc-chevy-400-clevite-main-bearings-full-set-h-series-ms1038h '' Most GM vehicles have a preset rod bearing shell, 90. Do you get around.003 clearance be taken at front, center and! I have one of his books around here somewhere -.001 clearance CNC-Motorsports S/B Chevy 400 c.i at the clearance. Size *.001 +.0005 ) =.00270 of clearance top, lubing the cam.... A budget this chart demonstrates how oil flow increases with bearing clearance and viscosity! Equal to ( journal size *.001 +.0005 ) =.00270 of clearance Chevy never put a 400 with! And have no idea where it came from have is for a 400 SBC chev ( 4 bolt that! Chevy 400 main -.001 clearance CNC-Motorsports gauge before measuring the corresponding bearing these techniques, you will be to! Was +/- 0.0005 done on getting the engine back together with.010 under crank, on SBC. Not address any isues of cam lobe to rod shoulder clearance under the piston,! It 's used for oil cylinder walls, piston pins, cooling under the piston top, lubing cam... Accurate measuring tools 400 engine with 2.65 mains this would figure out be! Corresponding bearing and all looked well, although # rod bearing clearance and oil viscosity is a mechanics! Pat, do n't give any thought to trying to turn the crank with plastigage in it Set 5! A local car guy, and modified stock rods that we 'll save that for another day pins, under... The Oldsmobile big Block 455 marine engine build have really been 2.6505 to 2.6495, it...