2G Main Bearings Questions & Guidance

[GofaST4life]

Well, the weekend didn’t go as planned, but I did get somewhere. If anyone has any insight on the below problems, PLEASE let me know.

Right now, my biggest issue is thrust bearings/washers. Here’s what’s going on. My bearing set didn’t come with any thrust washers or thrust bearings, which is an oversight on my part I believe, but lets move on…I’ve been reading all morning and I’m more confused and very worried. On Saturday when I started the build, the had to remove the main thrust bearing from my girdle, this was the SINGLE thrust piece bearing and it was on the GIRDLE. Doesn’t the thrust bearing go on the engine side?

When I disassembled the block, memory tells me that it had the thrust washers, 3-piece bearing, on the engine side. But everything I’m reading says its either one or the other? So I’m confused as to why it had both? Or my memory is reminding me of the original motor I tore down, or the 4g64 (but idk is n/t 4g64s had a split thrust?) I torn down 3 motors over the winter.

And to make things worse, I ordered ACL Main bearings for a 97-99, but I know think this block is an earlier 97, based on the single thrust piece bearing I pulled off the girdle. And I was told I cant used 97-99 main bearings in a 95-early 97 block…

 

[GofaST4life]

Pictures.

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[GofaST4life]

Based on the pictures in this thread, im not more comfused.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/identify-blocks.466319/

I spoke to a tech at STM and they said the split thrust bearing SHOULD NOT be on the girdle?

 

[gophishy10]

If you in fact have an early 97 block (non split thrust), then you don't need the thrust washers. Only the split thrust design with the 3 piece bearing use them. And as far as I know, you actually have to order the washers separately.
You will have to get the 95-97 bearings since the ones you ordered probably came with the 3 piece middle bearing.

 

[GofaST4life]

If you in fact have an early 97 block (non split thrust), then you don't need the thrust washers. Only the split thrust design with the 3 piece bearing use them. And as far as I know, you actually have to order the washers separately.
You will have to get the 95-97 bearings since the ones you ordered probably came with the 3 piece middle bearing.

They didnt come with any thrust hardware...at all. Not the single 1 piece, or the 3 pieces.

 

[gophishy10]

Where did you order them from?

 

[GofaST4life]

Where did you order them from?

ExtremePSi - I called and spoke with a rep and am now mor confused than I was before.

 

[gophishy10]

This is what you need:
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=19651&cat=1338&page=1
It should come with the middle "thrust bearing" and the rest of the 4 main bearings.
It will be 10 pieces total.

 

[GofaST4life]

This is what you need:
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/product.php?productid=19651&cat=1338&page=1
It should come with the middle "thrust bearing" and the rest of the 4 main bearings.
It will be 10 pieces total.

That would make sense now. Im assuming ill get a specific thrust bearing for the block side AND the cradle side?

 

[gophishy10]

That is correct. If you had a split thrust block, the 3 piece bearing would go on the block side. But you don't.

The bearing half with the oil hole will go on the block side. The hole in the bearing will align with the oil hole in the block, except on the middle thrust bearing. The hole will be slightly higher than the hole in the block. It is supposed to be like that.

 

[GofaST4life]

That is correct. If you had a split thrust block, the 3 piece bearing would go on the block side. But you don't.

The bearing half with the oil hole will go on the block side. The hole in the bearing will align with the oil hole in the block, except on the middle thrust bearing. The hole will be slightly higher than the hole in the block. It is supposed to be like that.

The solid bearing half goes on the girdle side.

One last question Jordan, based on the block picture above, can you tell if thats a early 7-bolt block based on the oil passages?

 

[talonalex92]

Looks like an early but hard to tell. The late had little ledges for the thrust washers to sit on. Text me and I can send you a picture after work.

 

[talonalex92]

Also, you need to make sure to clean out the main bolt holes. They need to be clean and dry.

 

[GofaST4life]

Looks like an early but hard to tell. The late had little ledges for the thrust washers to sit on. Text me and I can send you a picture after work.

Im going to take a bunch of pictures when I get home.

Also, you need to make sure to clean out the main bolt holes. They need to be clean and dry.

So clean out all the assembly lube that may have gotten in there? ha

 

[gophishy10]

Looks like an early but hard to tell. The late had little ledges for the thrust washers to sit on. Text me and I can send you a picture after work.

What he said. Send a pic of the middle journal to see if it has a groove. If it does, it's the split thrust. If not, it's an early block.

Either way, you'll need to get the thrust bearings.

 

[GofaST4life]

Girdle

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Block

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Looks like I do indeed have a early 7-Bolt block