DennisWaller

Have any of the readers experienced problems with defective ACL bearings in Hondas? I purchased a complete set of standard dimension ACL bearings for a 91 Civic-mains, connecting road and thrust- and experienced two problems. First, one of the original con rod bearings was sprung open and packed that way at the factory.(The shrink wrap plastic was tight around the 8 bearings) ACLs US distributor willingly replaced the set . However, when I installed the con rod bearings recently one was too small and seized the crankshaft even before the cap bolts were tightened to the correct torque. I removed the bearing and discovered two bright bars where the thin, top surface layer of the bearing was worn off merely by turning over the crankshaft by hand. These bars appeared across the bearing opposite the tang, about 1/2 inch from the parting line. The lines appeared at the same place on both the top and bottom bearing shells. The bearing that was too small was coded in exactly the same way as the other six bearings which fit correctly. I had previously measured the journals with a micrometer and all were within factory specs. The original bearing that was removed from that journal after 240K miles appeared pristine. Consequently I am confident that journal does not differ from the other three.
I have always been leery of aftermarket parts but I was told that ACL was an OEM supplier to Toyota's Australian factory and incorrectly assumed their aftermarket bearings were of comparable quality.
Is my experience unique or have other Honda techs had similar experiences with ACL bearings?
PS I purchased replacement bearings made by Taiho, an OES Honda supplier.
Dennis Waller

slowpro

I have ACL's and love them I have used them for quite some time and have never had a issue with them unless I was the cause.

90efhatch

I have no problems with mine. I plan to use them on my next motor build also.

JOE BD-0

The guys in the "all motor" forum may have some answers for you....good luck

Iceycrx

My buddy who builds engines stands by them. Another buddy wont use them because Honda has differant bearings for the same engine and so how can acl sell just one for all....Either way I know any company has a bad batch once in awhile. I've seen plenty of engines work fine with acls and ive seen the same for other bearings...when building an engine you should be paying attention to all the specs and products being used and if you see something funny, stop and make sure its corrected first.