ok here is the problem

i have a 1995 gsr block sleeved by golden eagle and assembled by my local machine shop (who does all my motors without any issues). I consulted a honda-tech member who does a lot of honda engine work and currently builds motors for a successful pro fwd team which runs in the sevens and is reportedly making over 1200 hp. I specifically asked him for bearing clearances (mains and rods) for a spfwd project that I was building. For the mains he told me to set the clearances to .0025 and the rods to .0022. He also told me to run 20w 50 motor oil- to be specific Valvoline Synthetic. The motor consisted of a 95 gsr block sleeved by g.e, manley turbo tuff rods, arias pistons, an ls crank, brand new gsr oil pump, acl bearings, the oil squirters were not removed. The motor was revved to 9500 rpm.


I ran at the track (10.8 @134) on friday and my motor was making noises after the run- pulled the oilpan off and discovered bearing particles all over the place from rod #3. The oil level was always on the money.

my question is -were the clearances too big? If so what would you recommend for my power levels (the set up will eventually see 10,500 rpm and 35-40 psi once the problem is fixed)


Just for the record- my machinist has tons of honda experience and is very well equipped and this is the first time I've had this sort of issue.

 

too much clearance IMO but not completely ridiculous considering your using 20/50 oil and its a low use race motor. ive always built street motors to around .0015-.0017 on both the rods and mains with no problems. were u using acl race bearings? if not, what did you machine to acheive such large clearances?

 

the main were line bored and the big end on the rods honed

 

why were the rods honed? were they out of round? you may need to order some thicker honda bearings to fill in some of that extra clearance