Engine bearings

Ken/Alabama

Ken/Alabama

Well-known member
Bought a bunch of flathead engine bearings and I'm separating them into sets by year and sizes. There are some rod bearing sets that are .001.002 & .005. Question is, are they really worth hanging on to or should I just trash them. I've rebuilt many flatheads but never have I used a rod bearing less than .010.
 
Ken/Alabama said:
Bought a bunch of flathead engine bearings and I'm separating them into sets by year and sizes. There are some rod bearing sets that are .001.002 & .005. Question is, are they really worth hanging on to or should I just trash them. I've rebuilt many flatheads but never have I used a rod bearing less than .010.
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Throw away nothing. I recently picked up a set of NOS rod bearings from Michael Driskell at Third Gen Automotive. They may not be high demand item but worth hanging onto. Especially if you have the chance to help out a fellow enthusiast. That alone is worth the price of admission for me.
 
Back in the day, folks would just throw in a set of .001 or .002 bearings and not turn the crank . . . got the car back on the road. In today's world - we really don't do that anymore. I've never used a set of .001 or .002 undersize journal bearings - probably never will.

Also, keep in mind that you can have both rod and main bearings where the OD is oversize - though it is much more common in full-floater rod bearings. I have had a few situations where I wish I had .009 or .019 bearings - to get a bit MORE clearance in the mains.

Given you have them, I'd keep them if they are in good shape - one never knows . . .
 
Talkwrench said:
Not floating bearings are they ?
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Yes, all of them. ! Got 68-6331-U rear mains up the wyzoo! Got flanged rod bearings up to .060. Got several sets of cad-silver 81A rod bearings. Lots of main bearing from 39-48 and 49-53. 49-53 rod bearings also. Of course these are all the ones I'm boxing up but I have all these odd ball bearings left over.
 
G'Day Ken ... WoW flanged up to .060 , thats awesome. The 2"undersized I would suggest keeping for 4 1/8 strokers, I have some of these & when I have crank ground just tell my guy what size I want it ground to.

Have fun & enjoy!
May be interested in .060 flanged just for stock.
Cheers
Tony
 
Ken/Alabama said:
Yes, all of them. ! Got 68-6331-U rear mains up the wyzoo! Got flanged rod bearings up to .060. Got several sets of cad-silver 81A rod bearings. Lots of main bearing from 39-48 and 49-53. 49-53 rod bearings also. Of course these are all the ones I'm boxing up but I have all these odd ball bearings left over.
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.060?! geez where were you when I needed some over .030 .. guess not flanged tho..?

Those small sizes are they are not for the back of the bearing to conrod ?
 
As you may know, flathead parts are getting hard to find and in good condition. I use allot of used bearings, IF they make spec, rather than just toss them donate them to another engine builder Like H&H or someone. At my age I don't do much of this work any more. 20 years from now somebody will thank you
 
Thanks for all the input. I'll box them up and hang on to them. Lots of odd sizes . Some sets some are not. Most are the floating bearings.
 
Hey Ken I have a similar treasure trove of parts like you have that I thankfully rescued from the dump over the last several years. Seems when I'm looking for the next project vehicle these parts are always available.

As Seth and others have suggested I will put these Items out there to help get someone back on the road when the weather breaks, hopefully this fall.
 
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