Concern About Main Bearing Journals (On The Block Side)

[hayhursm]

I have a B16A2 engine, as I was inspecting the block I noticed that the main journals (on the block side, not the main caps) had some junk on them and some residual substances. These substances would not wipe off either (You could run your finger along them and feel it). I do not feel comfortable with this, for I would like my main bearings to sit against a nice smooth surface instead of a rough one with residue on it (for measuring purposes). I was wondering if using some polishing or crocus coth on this would be wrong. I have thought about this long and hard and can't think of a reason to why this would be bad, even if the oil clearence is off I can go to a different colored bearing size to get the clearence in spec. I feel that as long as my oil clearences are still in spec there would be no problem, such as spinning a bearing or some sort.

Any input would be appreciated.

Marcus

[whtteg]

What happened to the motor that it needed to be rebuilt? I would think as long as the clearance it right then you should be fine. Have you tried one of those plastic gasket scrapers? I would see if that will remove it first before using anything else, then check the clearance.

[f22a6]

take it to a machine shop and let them fix it

[hayhursm]

Originally Posted by whtteg

What happened to the motor that it needed to be rebuilt? I would think as long as the clearance it right then you should be fine. Have you tried one of those plastic gasket scrapers? I would see if that will remove it first before using anything else, then check the clearance.

I'm sorry I forgot to tell you I am building the engine it never was broken, it has been sleeved by AEBS, Wiseco 9:1 pistons, Eagle Rods, Total Seal Rings and I am putting new Honda bearings in it, gaskets, seals, etc... Anyways I had also went ahead and polished the journal a little. Just to be safe I went ahead and stuck one of the USED bearings in it and plastigage it (hence that bearing would be worn and if it still measured in spec then I knew I had to be ok because the engine ran great before the tear down not to mention the new bearings I am putting in would make it even better). I decided to plastigage the Number 5 journal. So I checked the widest part of the plastigage (just like your suppost to do) on that journal and it read about .0015" which is in spec. So since the USED bearing was in spec then it should be all good once I throw the NEW bearings in there. What do you think? My main concern is spinning a bearing but then again that is mainly do to loss of oil pressure right? Would this cause the bearing to spin even though the clearences are correct? I couldn't see how.

Marcus

[whtteg]

Yes bearings spin b/c of lack of oil, even if the clearance is in spec if the oil pressure drops then the bearing will spin. As long as you are within spec i think yu will be fine, I see no reason that it would spin a bearing , see how you have the right clearance. How many miles were on the motor before you tore it down? Honda bearing are really good bearings and don't really wear fast, so unless you have over 150Kmiles or so than i don't thikn the new bearings will cause much clearance change. you should be fine, just be sure to plastigage all the rod bearings and crank bearings.

[hayhursm]

Originally Posted by whtteg

Yes bearings spin b/c of lack of oil, even if the clearance is in spec if the oil pressure drops then the bearing will spin. As long as you are within spec i think yu will be fine, I see no reason that it would spin a bearing , see how you have the right clearance. How many miles were on the motor before you tore it down? Honda bearing are really good bearings and don't really wear fast, so unless you have over 150Kmiles or so than i don't thikn the new bearings will cause much clearance change. you should be fine, just be sure to plastigage all the rod bearings and crank bearings.

I appreciate your feedback and sorry to bother you, but I just want you to understand my concern here. The engine had only 56,000 on it. Do you know what I am talking about, have you pulled the main bearings out of the block and seen all that crap on the journals that the bearing sits against that can't be good so I just polished it off, couldn't have taken hardly any material off at all. I mean hell if the old ones are still in spec then your probably right, I guess I will just check everything else and move on, is that what you would do now? I am probably just making a mountain out of a mole hill.

[whtteg]

I would just move on with the build, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I would just double check the clearance once you have the new bearings in. Also don't forget to get new thrust washers, for some reason people over look these, but you need to replace them. Good luck

[hayhursm]

Originally Posted by whtteg

I would just move on with the build, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I would just double check the clearance once you have the new bearings in. Also don't forget to get new thrust washers, for some reason people over look these, but you need to replace them. Good luck

Ok, Hey thanks for your help, and yes I have already purchased new thrust washers from Honda.

Thanks again!