blackeg

Putting together a new motor for the first time in
a while, and i came across a few main bearing questions. The motor is a 84x89mm b series vtec. Will be around 550 wheel on c12, just shy of 9000rpm limiter for my trap speeds and gearing.

With acl hx's, i have .0026-.0028 clearance. With std acl im at .0018-.002. I guess i was looking to be around.0022, which i can get with oem pinks and reds.

1- besides the 270 degree oiling instead of oe 180, is there an advantage of running acl's??

2- does the acl benefits outweigh getting the exact oil clearance that im looking for?

3- are my target numbers even good to begin with? The car is a typical weekend warrior, gets about 3000 miles per year. I was going to run vr1 or castrol classic high zinc 20w-50 in the summer, but 10w-40 in the winter. The car does get started in colder weather.

I have all the bearings to do whatever, Just looking for ideas and feedback. Its pretty funny i do a lot of searching on here and just find my own posts from lord knows when lol

spAdam

iTrader: (1)

I won't comment on the the target clearances, that's part of a greater conversation about intended oil weight/pressure, etc.

Another option, though, is to use the std ACLs and line hone to your desired clearances. Theoretically, if you do it this way you can tear down at your desired interval, check clearances for any wear (there really shouldn't be), slap a new set of standards in, confirm clearances, and send it.

blackeg

Been dragging my feet, but i finally assembled the block last night. Went with the acl hx's. I do plan on running either vr1 or castrol classic car high zinc. Both of which are 20w-50. Work ends this week so i hope to have the motor in and running by early july.

blackeg

Up and running, 500 miles so far. 20w-50 85psi cold start and 20-22 psi hot idle 1050rpm. Cruising oil pressure is 65-75 depending on load. Its a new oem oil pump.

JRCivic1

Why are you running such thick oil ?

Chance EG

Agreed, run 10w30 or even 0w30/5w30, especially since you mentioned driving the car in colder weather.

JRCivic1

If your main bearing clearances are .026-028", you will need oil that thick so that you can make proper oil pressures. Why did you choose such loose clearances ?

blackeg

Block was line honed after main stud installation. (Had previous bearing wear issue). Was set to spec and recomended at .0025 from machine shop that does many high hp honda and imports in new jersey. I just measured it a tiny bit bigger.. the old rule of .001 per inch of journal gets you .0023 to .0024 anyway, plus it was a bit too tight with acl standard size and they dont even make oem pinks and reds anymore and i didnt want to use the few that i have.

blackeg

blackeg

Back from the dyno. 521/374@23 psi c12. All in all, in the ballpark I expected. Oil psi in the upper 80s toward rev limiter. Compression is 195-200psi