I might be worthwhile giving Egge a call. Find out who manufactures the bearings they sell....call the manuf directly, maybe they can do something for you.... In the old days, didn't they chrome crank journals?...that could be an option to grinding to the next size. I even wonder if there is a possibility of getting the .010 bearings coated to reduce their clearance? I'm not up on current race technology, but there may be some processes available that would solve your problem... Example of coatings: http://www.airborncoatings.com/customer/dryfilm.html and a tech article on coatings: http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m3125/12_74/88108881/p1/article.jhtml?term= There must be a better solution out there for you...
That is my thought, Walt. It would be a heck of a lot less work just putting in new main bearings with the motor in the car from underneath than having to take it out to remove the crank for re-grinding. With the pistons still in the motor I'd almost certainly nick the rod journals putting the crank back in. Someone told me that new bearings are tri-metal (whatever that means) and custom made bearings are made with a babbit coating that he said is not as good as the tri-metal. I don't really care as long as it solves my problem. $500 for a set is a lot to spend though. At this point any process that would add some thickness would interest me. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll make some calls tomorrow.
I checked an 'Engine Blueprinting' book I have (SA Design) It recommended trying a set of bearings from a different manufacturer...often there is a slight, but just enough of a difference. What brand are your bearings anyway? It also mentioned chroming the journals, but that could cause hydrogen embrittlement, and weaken the crank. So scratch that idea...
They were a generic brand from EGGE. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow and check as many websites as I can. Unfortunately, Nailhead bearings are probably the least important to manufacturers in regards to special sizes. I can now see one advantage to owning a chibby.:grin:
Yeah that realy sucks that napa doesn't know anything about buicks! From what I've read Buicks need to be built differently than chevy ect, ballancing and clearances are extra inportant. The advice I have gotten about getting buick motors rebuilt is to go to a buick guy (or shop) not the chevy shop. Goodluck
