Goofy Thrust Bearing Gaps

nm9stheham said
Interesting... actually the main cap may be fine but the shell cocked in the cap. Check the cap surfaces and where the shell contacts the cap and make sure there are not burrs in there.

I am really not sure that being equal on both sides is all that critical, as long as top and bottom halves are generally aligned. I know I have never worried over it..... and have seen one half of a thrust bearing worn more than other halves on one side only with no adverse effects, so it must happen. I don't even recall ever measuring on the sides.

I’ll have to take the crank out and see if there is anything obvious. I only measured with a feeler gauge on the sides because of the previous failure. Maybe .002 difference is just fine and the bearing will shed its coating and true-up. I’d hate to pull it all apart again. I did slightly taper the edges of the eccentric part of the bearing on both upper and lower shell to allow more oil flowing to the thrust surface.

furrystump said
So you installed main studs and "measured" it and it came out ok so no align hone. How did you measure it? Just the crank bore diameter? If so the studs can pull the bores out of alignment.

I measure the crank and installed bearings in the caps with a micrometer when torqued to spec. No change vs stock bolts. Also checked with plastigauge and the measurements were slightly tighter but good.

Killer6 said
Stroker416 and furrystump are both on here;
1) get a mic and check the overall width, thrust-face to thrust-face on both shells in 4-5 places, and check the thickness of all 4 thrust faces the same. If they are spot on....
2) use the OE bolts and repeat setting/seating procedure for the thrust bearings & re-check, same results or OK? If so, You may need to clearance the bolt holes in the cap(s)
to prevent the stud shoulders from pushing the cap(s).

I’ll try this thank you.