Engine Bearings
- King Engine Bearings®Duratec High Performance Main BearingDuratec High Performance Main Bearing by King Engine Bearings®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability....Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$73.06 - $78.97
- King Engine Bearings®HP-Series Main Bearing SetHP-Series Main Bearing Set by King Engine Bearings®. This King Engine Bearings product is professionally and meticulously designed to provide superior durability you are looking for. The company does not accept compromises when it is...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$86.22 - $146.16
- King Engine Bearings®HPT-Series Camshaft Bearing SetHPT-Series Camshaft Bearing Set by King Engine Bearings®. This King Engine Bearings product is professionally and meticulously designed to provide superior durability you are looking for. The company does not accept compromises when it...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$108.59 - $119.41
- King Engine Bearings®Main BearingMain Bearing by King Engine Bearings®. This King Engine Bearings product is professionally and meticulously designed to provide superior durability you are looking for. The company does not accept compromises when it is going about...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$22.45 - $325.65
- King Engine Bearings®PMaxKote Connecting Rod BearingPMaxKote Connecting Rod Bearing by King Engine Bearings®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$51.13 - $309.14
- King Engine Bearings®SI-Series Connecting Rod Bearing SetSI-Series Connecting Rod Bearing Set by King Engine Bearings®. This King Engine Bearings product is professionally and meticulously designed to provide superior durability you are looking for. The company does not accept compromises...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$6.75 - $37.40
- King Engine Bearings®SM-Series Connecting Rod Bearing SetSM-Series Connecting Rod Bearing Set by King Engine Bearings®. This King Engine Bearings product is professionally and meticulously designed to provide superior durability you are looking for. The company does not accept compromises...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$21.26 - $96.47
- King Engine Bearings®XP-Series Main Bearing SetXP-Series Main Bearing Set by King Engine Bearings®. This King Engine Bearings product is professionally and meticulously designed to provide superior durability you are looking for. XP-Series is a unique tri-metal structure for race...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$51.82 - $245.22
- King Engine Bearings®XP-Series Narrowed Connecting Rod Bearing SetXP-Series Narrowed Connecting Rod Bearing Set by King Engine Bearings®. XP-Series is a unique tri-metal structure for race applications. The overlay is strengthened by a proprietary nano-scaled hardening process that modifies the...No more multiple set purchases or "fishing" for bearings to reach right clearanceNo need to grind cranks "fat" or "thin"$93.72
- Crown®Crankshaft Main BearingCrankshaft Main Bearing by Crown®. Crown Automotive is just the ticket if you want to get the most out of your vehicle as well as revel in a more exciting driving experience. You will surely get a real bang for the buck! This product is...Developed to improve your driving experienceConstructed to ensure ultimate operation$17.39 - $202.35
- Omix-ADA®Connecting Rod BearingConnecting Rod Bearing by Omix-ADA®. Is your CHECK ENGINE light on? Has your vehicle failed a state emissions test? Your vehicle's emissions control system is in need of repair, but before you waste your time and gas running out to the...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$11.27 - $78.16
- Taiho®Connecting Rod Bearing SetConnecting Rod Bearing Set by Taiho®. Designed utilizing the latest technology, this product by Taiho features premium quality and will perform better than advertised. Perfect for your vehicle and lifestyle, it is manufactured to meet...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$18.07 - $75.80
- Taiho®Crankshaft Thrust BearingsCrankshaft Thrust Bearings by Taiho®. This top-grade product is expertly made in compliance with stringent industry standards to offer a fusion of a well-balanced design and high level of craftsmanship. Manufactured from...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$7.48 - $23.43
- ACL®Aluglide™ Connecting Rod Bearing SetAluglide™ Connecting Rod Bearing Set by ACL®. Aluglide bearings provide a combination of moderate to high strength, good seizure resistance and excellent wear resistance. These bearings are ideally suited to general purpose...Strength is engineered through targeted alloyingNo overlay means that the load is assumed directly by the alloy and transmitted through to the steel$8.98 - $22.54
- ACL®Aluglide™ Main Bearing SetAluglide™ Main Bearing Set by ACL®. Aluglide bearings provide a combination of moderate to high strength, good seizure resistance and excellent wear resistance. These bearings are ideally suited to general purpose applications...Strength is engineered through targeted alloyingNo overlay means that the load is assumed directly by the alloy and transmitted through to the steel$12.33 - $37.45
- ACL®Connecting Rod BearingConnecting Rod Bearing by ACL®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to provide a perfect fit for a...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$13.94 - $239.93
- ACL®Main BearingMain Bearing by ACL®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to provide a perfect fit for a hassle...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$11.95 - $196.04
- ACL®Race Series Connecting Rod BearingRace Series Connecting Rod Bearing by ACL®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to provide a...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$21.58 - $239.93
- ACL®Race Series Main Bearing SetRace Series Main Bearing Set by ACL®. The ACL RACE Series performance engine bearing range of today has a strong pedigree in motorsport & traces its roots back to the 1960's with the manufacture of engine bearings for use in the world...High strength overlay plate with reduced thickness for improved fatigue propertiesHardened steel backs on all rod bearings to improve the support of the bearing lining and assist with bearing retention in the housing$11.95 - $229.01
- Glyco®Connecting Rod BearingConnecting Rod Bearing by Glyco®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to provide a perfect fit for...OE quality parts from top original equipment and aftermarket manufacturersThe finest quality at a great price$9.78 - $252.07
- Glyco®Crankshaft Main BearingCrankshaft Main Bearing by Glyco®. Is your vehicle feeling down on power? Do you see dark puddles on the ground when you park? Is your CHECK ENGINE light on? Your engine may be in need of repair, but before you waste your time and gas...OE quality fluids from top original equipment and aftermarket manufacturersThe finest quality at a great price$32.67 - $433.08
- Glyco®Intermediate Shaft BearingIntermediate Shaft Bearing by Glyco®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to provide a perfect fit...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$17.75
- Kolbenschmidt®Camshaft Bearing SetCamshaft Bearing Set by Kolbenschmidt®. Less Friction for More Dynamics. The performance and torque characteristics of advanced gasoline and diesel engines combined with the available installation space call for rod and crankshaft...Unique craftsmanship paired with advanced technologyDesigned to ensure a high level of reliability and security$11.91 - $53.96
- Kolbenschmidt®Crankshaft Main Bearing SetCrankshaft Main Bearing Set by Kolbenschmidt®. Manufactured with customers in mind using most modern methods and leading-edge equipment, this premium-grade product is excellent in every detail. It ensures impeccable quality and maximum...Unique craftsmanship paired with advanced technologyDesigned to ensure a high level of reliability and security$43.34 - $296.76
- Kolbenschmidt®Rod Bearing SetRod Bearing Set by Kolbenschmidt®. Less Friction for More Dynamics. The performance and torque characteristics of advanced gasoline and diesel engines combined with the available installation space call for rod and crankshaft bearing...Unique craftsmanship paired with advanced technologyDesigned to ensure a high level of reliability and security$15.26 - $338.00
- ACDelco®Genuine GM Parts™ Crankshaft Main Bearing CapGenuine GM Parts™ Crankshaft Main Bearing Cap by ACDelco®. This product is made of high-quality components to meet and exceed strict quality requirements. Designed using state-of-the-art technology and with customers in mind. It will...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$171.53
- Clevite®Crankshaft Thrust Washer SetCrankshaft Thrust Washer Set by Clevite®. This premium product is the best way to go for those looking for the highest quality replacement that offers supreme levels of quality, performance and reliability. Designed to provide a perfect...High quality at an affordable priceExpertly made from premium materials$7.12 - $286.60
- Genuine®Balance Shaft BearingBalance Shaft Bearing by Genuine®. If your engine parts is in need of repair, don't compromise the performance and safety of your car with suspect, off-brand replacement parts from the local auto parts chain store. On our website you'll...Compliant with the strictest standards for qualityExpertly crafted using the up-to-date technology$25.28
- Genuine®Balance Shaft Bearing HalfBalance Shaft Bearing Half by Genuine®. If your engine parts is in need of repair, don't compromise the performance and safety of your car with suspect, off-brand replacement parts from the local auto parts chain store. On our website...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$28.35
- Genuine®Main Bearing Cap BoltMain Bearing Cap Bolt by Genuine®. If your engine parts is in need of repair, don’t compromise the performance and safety of your car with suspect, off-brand replacement parts from the local auto parts chain store. On our website...Designed to deliver trouble-free, consistent performanceRight for your vehicle and lifestyle$6.64 - $10.73
There are many different kinds of bearings used on automobiles, including ball and roller bearings, needle bearings, and tapered roller bearings, but the bearings that are commonly used inside the engine are called plain bearings. These bearings are either cylindrical or are made of two inserts that form an enclosure. Components like the crankshaft and camshaft rotate on plain bearings supported by a film of oil. Oil is supplied under pressure by the engine oil pump.
Bearing construction varies according to intended use: stock, high-performance, and racing, and there are too many variations for an in-depth discussion here. In general, there are bi-metal and tri-metal bearings. Both have the lining material applied to a rigid and supportive steel backing. Bi-metal bearings have an aluminum alloy lining. The alloy may be strengthened with other metals, and the latest alloys contain silicone, which significantly increases surface hardness. Aluminum alloys with silicone are highly resistant to seizure. Tri-metal bearings have an intermediate layer of copper bearing alloy and an overlay of lead-tin-copper alloy. They have the strength, fatigue resistance and embedability (the ability to embed hard particles like dirt and debris that would otherwise become lodged between the bearing and journal, causing wear to the journal) that is the right combination for many applications.
Bores in the cylinder block are precision machined to accept the engine bearings. The camshaft and balance shaft bearings are cylindrical and pressed into the bores. The main and connecting rod bearing bores are split, with the bottom half of the bore known as the cap. Main and connecting rod bearings are called inserts that fit into bearing “saddles” formed by the top half of the bores in the block and connecting rods, and the caps. Where required, bearings have oil holes that must align with oil passages in the block, and some may have oil grooves. The thrust main bearing is flanged where it contacts the crankshaft thrust surface. Bearing halves for the crankshaft and connecting rods have a certain amount of material that extends above the bore parting line when placed in the saddle, which is known as bearing “crush”. This ensures that the bearings will be fully seated in the bores when the caps are torqued to specification.
For optimal performance and long life, engine bearings must have the right amount of oil clearance. This clearance is the difference between the shaft diameter and the diameter of the installed bearing, and is typically between 0.001” and 0.0035”. Main and connecting rod bearing clearance can be checked with the crankshaft installed using Plastigage, but a more precise measurement can be achieved by measuring the journal diameter with a micrometer and the installed bearing diameter with a bore gauge, and subtracting the micrometer dimension from the bore gauge dimension. If the clearance is excessive and the crankshaft is worn, it can be ground undersize and the appropriate undersize bearings used. However, the main or connecting rod housing bores could also be larger than specifications, requiring the block to be aligned honed or the big ends of the connecting rods reconditioned.
Although there are some performance bi-metal bearings, most performance bearings are of tri-metal construction. Many performance bearings also come with a proprietary dry film coating to reduce friction, provide startup protection, and increase strength and heat resistance. In addition to superior materials, they also have design features better suited to high power output engines. The eccentricity of performance bearings are tailored to the engine block and connecting rod bore characteristics of performance engine components to help maintain proper oil clearance, and they have higher crush for improved bearing retention. Performance bearings may be narrower than stock or chamfered to allow for the larger fillet radiuses of performance crankshafts, and they may have enlarged oil holes and/or grooves to improve lubrication.
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Related Categories
- Engine Assemblies
- Motor Mounts
- Engine Blocks
- Valves & Valvetrain Parts
- Pistons, Rings & Connecting Rods
- Oil Filters
- Serpentine Belts & Auxiliary Drive Belts
- Valve Covers
- Timing Gears, Chains & Covers
- Engine Oil Pans, Drain Plugs & Dipsticks
- Cylinder Heads
- Timing Belts
- Engine Pulleys
- Engine Sensors, Relays, Switches & Connectors
- Oil Pumps
- Drive Belt Tensioners
- Oil Coolers
- Camshafts
- Crankshafts
- Engine Management Systems
- Harmonic Balancers
- Engine Rebuild Kits
- Oil Catch Cans
- Balance Shafts
- Engine Swap Kits
- Engine Wiring Harnesses
- Intercoolers
- Throttle Bodies
- Carburetors
- Motor Oils