Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

are shortblock bearings re-useable?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:23 PM
  #1  
Ryan72's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default are shortblock bearings re-useable?

i'm about to pull apart my ls6 for a quick hone and re-ring job. blown #7 ring.
i'd like to re-ring all 8 while i'm at it, and gap all of them a little bigger.

i already pulled #7 out to see the ring damage.. fortunately the cylinder wall is still perfect.



1.) Can i pull the rods and mains apart to clean the block and re-use the same bearings, putting it back together since the engine was good and has under 50k?
Some say never re-use a bearing. Others say you can. ?

2.) Should i just order a set of std. repacement rod/main bearings and slap them in... and clearances should be within spec when i mic the bearing clearance?

3.)Adding ARP main studs/rod bolts?
I've read that since an lsx has a cracked beam rod design you can replace the rod bolts and be good without having to resize the rod, like on an older sbc/bbc?



thanks.

Last edited by Ryan72; Apr 21, 2009 at 11:29 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2009 | 11:48 PM
  #2  
V6 Bird's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,109
Likes: 0
From: Grand Prairie, TX
Default

Yes you can. A little scotch brite and some carb cleaner and they will be good as new!
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 11:43 AM
  #3  
Ryan72's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

1 reply... weak sauce.


+1 for re-using low mileage bearings...

anyone else?
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 11:48 AM
  #4  
bigboykilroy's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (48)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 730
Likes: 4
From: Aurora, Ohio
Default

i would just replace the bearings.
peace of mind is always great.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 12:14 PM
  #5  
dubrado's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: texas
Default

+1 for re-ring, might as well since bearings are cheap and youre allready in there...good for piece of mind + it'd be more of a paid to take out after running and having to replace them anyways.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 07:41 PM
  #6  
theblur98ss's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (71)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 0
From: East Brady, Pa
Default

you can reuse them but why would you? I wouldn't even think of it unless the engine was just built..i mean like 50 miles ago. If you have it apart just replace them and be done with it.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 09:37 PM
  #7  
fast377's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 0
From: Kingsland, GA
Default

Originally Posted by theblur98ss
you can reuse them but why would you? I wouldn't even think of it unless the engine was just built..i mean like 50 miles ago. If you have it apart just replace them and be done with it.
Agreed. As cheap as they are, it would be dumb not to.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2009 | 11:33 PM
  #8  
beedo's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield, TX
Default

Mains and rods replace, leave the cam bearings. That will save some time and money from the machine shop. Unless you install them yourself
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 12:04 AM
  #9  
Ryan72's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default

I just started a new thread trying to find an answer to this question...

Are standard sized rod and main bearings a selective fit, like older engines?

not sure if this pertains to ls1s, but I've read:

GM likes to use what is called a selective fit bearing and they vary in size anywhere from .0001"-.0009"
The only thing you could do at that point is to have the crank reground and then buy new bearings to match which would be .010", .020", or .030"

Can i just slap in a set of std. bearings, plasti-gauge the bottom end, and call it a day?
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2009 | 08:54 AM
  #10  
BLOWNBLUEZ06's Avatar
TECH Regular
15 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 426
Likes: 3
From: Forney, Texas
Default

If you've ever compared plastigauge to a dial bore gage and micrometer measurement, you wouldn't be using plastigauge on a performance engine. An old 76 Chevy pickup for chasing parts, yes. Performance engine, NO. There is too much variance between the plastigauge measurements and the proper measurements.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:11 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE