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Rod bearing clearance

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Old Jun 5, 2018 | 03:49 PM
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Default Rod bearing clearance

building an aluminum block ls3 416 with a Callies steel crank and Callies rods using king tri metal bearings I got my main clearance set to .00015. I'm going a little looser than low side of spec cuz it's going to be beat hard and also i want to run something thicker than 5w30. My rod clearance is .0029 which is all the way on the high side of tolerance. Is that too high to run with the main clearance where it is ?? Ideally I'd like to run mobile 1 15w50 and I'm not really sure where to set the rods to

Last edited by Mechanic a; Jun 5, 2018 at 03:51 PM. Reason: Missing info
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Old Jun 5, 2018 | 08:00 PM
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With an aluminum block the main clearance will open up once warmed up. Your main clearance could be around or a hair more than .0020 once warm. I usually shoot for .0025 on the rods. Ive heard of guys running .0030 without issues. Just run thicker oil and a good pump.
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Old Jun 5, 2018 | 08:38 PM
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Yes. Like I said I want to run a thicker oil. I'm looking for an idea of what to run the rod clearance at so when at temp both the rods and mains have similar clearances
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Old Jun 5, 2018 | 09:47 PM
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I think you got a little happy with the zeros
.00015?
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Old Jun 6, 2018 | 02:48 PM
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Sorry .0015
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Old Jun 6, 2018 | 03:34 PM
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Just keep in mind the rods are the last thing to get oil.
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Old Jun 6, 2018 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Mechanic a
building an aluminum block ls3 416 with a Callies steel crank and Callies rods using king tri metal bearings I got my main clearance set to .00015. I'm going a little looser than low side of spec cuz it's going to be beat hard and also i want to run something thicker than 5w30. My rod clearance is .0029 which is all the way on the high side of tolerance. Is that too high to run with the main clearance where it is ?? Ideally I'd like to run mobile 1 15w50 and I'm not really sure where to set the rods to
How much power are you trying to make? That’s what really determines the clearance.
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Old Jun 7, 2018 | 11:12 AM
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Naturally aspirated and it should hopefully make 650-700 flywheel. Agressive cam. Live in New England so it sees a huge temperature swing on a daily basis I also will drive it long distances and beat it constantly. And I'm not really worried about longevity. I know I will need to freshen it it up over time. Not looking to make 100,000 miles.

Last edited by Mechanic a; Jun 7, 2018 at 10:00 PM. Reason: Punctuation
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Old Jun 9, 2018 | 07:11 AM
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Any suggestions??
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Old Jun 9, 2018 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Mechanic a
Any suggestions??
Personally, I’d like to see .002” on the mains and about .0025” on the rods. If its going to do any type of endurance events where the engine will see sustained high RPM, like road racing or top speed, then I’d add a little more.
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Old Jun 10, 2018 | 12:43 PM
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Ok. Thank you.
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