Advanced Engineering Tech For the more hardcore LS1TECH residents

Too much bearing clearance?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 6, 2007 | 07:47 AM
  #41  
edcmat-l1's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 4
From: Va Beach
Default

Originally Posted by racer7088
99 per cent of these aftermarket cranks and rods have around .020 -.025 side clearance and if you run tighter oil clearance they will have higher oil pressures. They also are more likely to spin a bearing if they are too tight even though the oil pressure will always show higher when you tighten the clearances up. If you go under .001 clearance and use the right springs you can achieve over 100 PSI oil pressure and can almost blow the filter right off the engine as well as probably spinning all the bearings.

High oil pressure does not mean that you are getting the right amount of oil by the bearings and also does not mean you have the right clearance but rather it is just a measure of restriction and oil viscosity really.

If you run the right clearances you will have lower oil pressure than our example above and also will not have any bearing problems with higher rpm and more power. Oil pressure is a measure of restriction and if you have much higher oil pressure it means less oil is flowing through the bearings if nothing else has changed not more.
Agreed. Completely. We use alot of Eagle stuff. They always seem to have .025-.030 side clearance. Never had any oil press issues. the rod bearing clearance is always on the tight side. Our machinist is always telling us " loosen em up!" so we do (he does). They all seem to have good oil press. all the way heated up the LT1s and gen1 motors are usually around 30 psi @ idle with a mechanical gauge.
Reply
Old Jan 6, 2007 | 08:11 AM
  #42  
LSXNV's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 437
Likes: 1
From: Bettendorf Iowa
Default

fwiw, as it pertains to oil pressure. 10psi for every 1000rpm. i am sure that has been mentioned before. any more and your wasting horsepower and take a chance on wasting bearings.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2007 | 02:31 PM
  #43  
ezrollin's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Default

awesome thread!!
I'm so glad to know less is more! (in my N/A circumstance)
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2007 | 09:47 PM
  #44  
CNC BLOCKS N/E's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: NORTHEAST
Default

We build a lot of circle track engines and we have a few of them near .040 on the side clearance and no oil pressure problems as its the bearing clearance that regulates the oil that flows out between the rods not the side clearance. Now if the side clearance was under .008 it would then restrict the oil and cause the bearings to burn up. You just don't want to expose an oil hole.

We have worked on some wet sump engines with pistons guided rods that have about .100 side clearance and they run the same oil presure as all the other engines. HMMMMMMMMM

Mercedes was the first to come up with the piston guided rod engine years ago.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2007 | 10:23 PM
  #45  
SHAKER's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Default

.001 per inch of rod or main journal diameter will be just fine. Isn't that what jud would say? I must say I concure. Shaker
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2007 | 09:26 AM
  #46  
Mike TexaSS's Avatar
8 Sec Tuner
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,641
Likes: 0
From: Wish I was in a boat fishing...
Default

Originally Posted by SHAKER
.001 per inch of rod or main journal diameter will be just fine. Isn't that what jud would say? I must say I concure. Shaker
The .001" per 1" of shaft diameter is meerly a good starting point. There are other variables such as block material (Aluminum v. Iron), RPM Level, HP Level, and type of oiling system.

-Ben R
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:14 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE