XiKeiyaZI
15+ Year Contributor
- 6,994
- 88
- Dec 28, 2008
-
Goldsboro,
North Carolina
Well, it seems like every Rod Bearing question is related to Failure so I wanted to make a thread more specific to the question I had. I am not experiencing failure, just a negligent memory as I missed my chance to replace the bearings while I had the engine on the stand. I was too anxious. 
After reading a thread here and a friend running into a situation where he bought a block, pulled the caps, and the bearings were worn to the copper layer, I figured I would go ahead and pull my pan, T-Case, and caps to inspect my bearings. This Bottom End came out of a perfectly good running 1G without any issues. Compression is 150 across the board. No knocks or anything of the sort - but I figured with the recent rebuild I wouldn't want to risk the contaminated oil it would see during the first few hundred miles of flushing killing potentially worn bearings.
When I found were a gorgeous set of bearings. This engine had around 150k on it. All of the bearings have good wear patterns. No scratches, gouges, or anything of the sort. There are no chittering wear marks and it looks like they have gotten an ample amount of oil flow. My question is - due to the nature of the rods, bearings, and the fact that the crank is looking brand new - a standard set of ACL Trimetals (plastigauging before install of course) should be perfectly fine to slap in and go? I am -not- pulling this running engine to remove the crank and have it checked as I know without a doubt that it is in perfectly good condition. Rods look the same. So assuming that all is well down below - that question stands.
I chose ACL Trimetals over OEM, not for cost, but because I do plan on putting a little power down, aiming for a reasonable 400whp. These should be able to stand up to the abuse? Also, which weight oil should I use during my flush period? I've been running 10w30. Cutting the can open after 3 flushes has resulted in less and less 'dust'. Only a flake here and there in the pan - all aluminum from what must have been missed when the head was drilled and cleaned.
After reading a thread here and a friend running into a situation where he bought a block, pulled the caps, and the bearings were worn to the copper layer, I figured I would go ahead and pull my pan, T-Case, and caps to inspect my bearings. This Bottom End came out of a perfectly good running 1G without any issues. Compression is 150 across the board. No knocks or anything of the sort - but I figured with the recent rebuild I wouldn't want to risk the contaminated oil it would see during the first few hundred miles of flushing killing potentially worn bearings.
When I found were a gorgeous set of bearings. This engine had around 150k on it. All of the bearings have good wear patterns. No scratches, gouges, or anything of the sort. There are no chittering wear marks and it looks like they have gotten an ample amount of oil flow. My question is - due to the nature of the rods, bearings, and the fact that the crank is looking brand new - a standard set of ACL Trimetals (plastigauging before install of course) should be perfectly fine to slap in and go? I am -not- pulling this running engine to remove the crank and have it checked as I know without a doubt that it is in perfectly good condition. Rods look the same. So assuming that all is well down below - that question stands.
I chose ACL Trimetals over OEM, not for cost, but because I do plan on putting a little power down, aiming for a reasonable 400whp. These should be able to stand up to the abuse? Also, which weight oil should I use during my flush period? I've been running 10w30. Cutting the can open after 3 flushes has resulted in less and less 'dust'. Only a flake here and there in the pan - all aluminum from what must have been missed when the head was drilled and cleaned.
