Rod Bearing sources

[excidere]

Here are the 3 contenders that fit easily in the bore so far.

The Acura (rb270 std) fit with the least modification, though they are a bit more narrow. With my spare crank it seems like .25's would be better as the oil clearance is near the max allowable.

1628P has a tang that's too large / needs filing, and the oil hole is TINY

1437P fit great but also have a tang that's too large and needs filing on the back side. I did this with a hand file on the bearing seen here. It took about 20m, but it's not perfectly round when installed. (probably needs more filing)

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

Subscribed as I want a set to put in my stash for when the time comes for the next set.

 

[Devin]

I'm confused as to which option is the best at this point. The Acura? Is the slimness an issue?

 

[excidere]

Unsure :/. Still need to check:
- Q45 bearings VK45DE
- Accura .25s (for better clearance maybe?)

The CB-1437p is my favorite, if you have the tools to measure roundness / clearance and the patience to carefully file the tang. I have been filing some down by hand and they plastigauge between 0.038 and 0.051 which is great, and they're almost perfectly round installed according to the mic. (I was worried they may bow out a bit where I filed the tang). They also fit much tighter in the bore which I prefer.

 

[14TR]

So other than test fit on a bench, has anyone used any of these various bearings in a completed running engine? I just put in an order from SHO Source for bottom end gaskets etc, so if the bearings are known to actually work I’ll pick up a set. I don’t like the idea of opening up the bottom and not changing bearings while already in there if possible.
I’m not too worried about the need to file tangs etc. I have mics and proper measuring tools

 

[excidere]

I think the folks from Russia have used the Toyota ones in real cars, they were the first to identify them as a possibility.

If my oil level sensor shows up before Sunday, I will be trying either the acura or the supra bearings this weekend (depending on which plastigages better on the actual crank) , as mine is already torn apart, and the existing rod bearings are showing a lot of copper.

 

[luigisho]

So other than test fit on a bench, has anyone used any of these various bearings in a completed running engine? I just put in an order from SHO Source for bottom end gaskets etc, so if the bearings are known to actually work I’ll pick up a set. I don’t like the idea of opening up the bottom and not changing bearings while already in there if possible.
I’m not too worried about the need to file tangs etc. I have mics and proper measuring tools

That's what I'm looking at. Proper fit with filing tangs or the narrower ready fit.

 

[excidere]

Updates: I went with the custom filed Toyota 1437p, plastgauge was just over 0.038mm on the car.

The 1 Acura I fitted was closer to 0.076mm+ and I could wiggle the rod on the crank with my hand after torquing them down which didn't seem ideal.

Filled it up with oil yesterday after letting the rtv set over night, and started right up with no knocking or strange noises or anything. I let it warm up and all things appeared normal.

I need to finish installing the y pipe and oil pressure gauge before I really take it for a drive, but initial review: seems fine?

I don't think I would use these if I didn't have a spare rod to fit/file these with on the bench. Having a cap to mark and file to helped tremendously, doing it while the car was all taken apart would have been pretty annoying imho.

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

How much did you have to file off the tang? I am assuming you used a hand file? Or did you use a Dremel type of tool?

 

[excidere]

How much did you have to file off the tang? I am assuming you used a hand file? Or did you use a Dremel type of tool?

A few posts up there's a picture of how I filed down the outer edge to be flush with the bore, leaving enough tang to snap into the groove.

I used a hand file, as it's pretty small and I didn't want to risk it getting away from me and gouging the inner bearing surface.

 

[excidere]

Also disclaimer: I haven't revved this thing or driven it more than around the block yet. It may blow up in 100mi idk. My plan is to treat it nice for a few hundred miles, and get an analysis on the first oil change and make sure nothing odd is floating around in there. What we know right now is that they fit, and seemingly hold oil pressure.

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

Any update? I purchased a stock rod for a 3.2 for test fitting as well.

Michael

 

[14TR]

I ordered a set of the cb1437-p for the 3.0 going back together right now. The one for the Ranger racer build. So it’ll get some start up and heat cycles in it, some putting around the property, but then it’s off to the races! Literally…
I’ll document it along the way. In fact I’ll put up a YouTube video of the engine build and the needed bearing modifications.

 

[luigisho]

This might have been covered before but, did anyone reach out to clevite or someone to see what a small batch of oem spec would run?

 

[14TR]

This might have been covered before but, did anyone reach out to clevite or someone to see what a small batch of oem spec would run?

Good point! It’s not like they have to start from scratch. If they already had the part number they in theory have the tooling on the shelf to run off another batch

Edit: I have inquired to Mahle (Clevite) regarding a small production run of the CB1435-P, as it’s known they typically wouldn’t do custom orders unless you reach a quantity of 1000 or greater, but seeing as this isn’t “custom”, just another batch of a previously produced bearing (so they have the tooling already, presumably), to see if they would be willing to produce them, what the minimum quantity would be, and what the lead time is. I’ll keep everyone informed should they get back to me.

 

[Devin]

Hope there still is enough owners out there to make something like this happen.

 

[excidere]

Hope there still is enough owners out there to make something like this happen.

I'd be in for a set or two.

Any update? I purchased a stock rod for a 3.2 for test fitting as well.

Michael

I drove it a few more times, still appears to be running fine. The oil pressure gauge reads ~80 on a cold start, and ~12-14 on warm idle. I took the front of the motor apart last weekend to replace the cam-seals and front main, which are hopefully my last oil leaks. So hopefully more driving is in order soon.

 

[SHOnion]

In need of a set as well.

 

[Sabziger]

Good point! It’s not like they have to start from scratch. If they already had the part number they in theory have the tooling on the shelf to run off another batch

Edit: I have inquired to Mahle (Clevite) regarding a small production run of the CB1435-P, as it’s known they typically wouldn’t do custom orders unless you reach a quantity of 1000 or greater, but seeing as this isn’t “custom”, just another batch of a previously produced bearing (so they have the tooling already, presumably), to see if they would be willing to produce them, what the minimum quantity would be, and what the lead time is. I’ll keep everyone informed should they get back to me.

Also make a request for ms-1773p.
I would buy it too if the problem with delivery and payment could be solved.

 

[Irish Pride]

Also make a request for ms-1773p.
I would buy it too if the problem with delivery and payment could be solved.

The main bearing tooling has been destroyed. These will never be made again new.

In regards to the rod bearings I looked into as well. 1000 units isn't that many when divided by 6. There are enough SHOwners to fulfill that order. Someone just needs to step up and pay the price to get the order made.

-Chad