NASCAR 427 rod bearings?

[rritchey]

Maybe somebody can shed some light..... I've never seen one of these cranks or any rods in person, but I know they have wider rod journals to accomodate wider rods (.080"). My question is, where can you buy the bearings. And better yet, in a FE, the rod bearing doesn't even come close to covering the full width of the rod, so why would it hurt to run a normal FE bearing if it is a measly .080" narrower? Bearing technology has come a LONG way since they built these, and unless the locks are located differently, I can't see why it wouldn't work. You might have to open up the oil hole in the bearings a little bit, but how hard would that be? Comments please....

[ted]

You'll find that rod bearings do not cover the full face of most connecting rods due to having to insure clearance for the radius in the crankshaft journal. The high performance bearings can be even narrower than the standard passenger car pieces due to high performance crankshafts typically having a larger radius at their journal edges. Most high performance connecting rod bearings will be individually marked "upper" and "lower" in order to maximize bearing contact surface while maintaining adequate clearance for the journal's radius. If you'll examine the rods, you'll also notice that the rod will have a larger chamfer on the journal's radius side for the same reason.

As loading on the bearing increases, then the surface area for the bearing where it resides on the journal will also be appropriately increased either by journal diameter or bearing width to keep wear within reasonable levels.

[Chuck525]

hi,i have a nice nascar crank and rods and was just as puzzeled about the bearings.after i talked with lee holman of holman & moody,he assured me that they used standard width bearings with no problems.nascar parts are for sale.thanks

[GEORGE ANDERSON]

The Bearings we've used on our 1.840" wide Journal Cranks you can buy from Federal Mogul as 8-7170CH. Watch the journal widths as sometimes the cranks have been ground out to 1.850" and this may well require a different rod with better side clearances like these Crowers.


George


http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2252.JPG

http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2256.JPG

http://www.gessford.com/work/images/DSCN2257.JPG

[BMK]

George,



Hope you can sell some bits here, you look busy, good to see..

[rritchey]

It's always nice to hear advice from the pros....

Does the heat from that grinder hurt the rods at all? I've always been advised to avoid narrowing (or balancing) rods by way of a grinder type machine, but rather use a mill to cut them down.

[GEORGE ANDERSON]

In the case of the Crower rods in the images we buy them wide and then side clearance to the journals...the rods checked, balanced, rechecked...and of course we keep the heat to a minimum on any metal removal.....the magnetic base grinder works well for side clearance work.
George

[BMK]

rritchey

Not only a Pro but he is considered a legend "Down Under"..

Up there with the "Crocodile Man" - Steve..

(Sorry George....)

Bernie

[C-J]

George,
How much are these semi finished rods from Crower?
I would need a set for a NASCAR crank I have....
Thanks!

C-J Englund