I have to get some main bearings for my 97 prelude. I don't have the old bearings so I don't know what color bearings to get. The number on my block is 33343. I have the Honda manual but I don't get how to figure out which colors are right. Can someone please help me out.

Thanks

 

gonna have to buy a set from oreillys to check clearances.

 

It's all in code. Look on the crank. Beside each main journal there will be a number stamped. It might be a regular number - or it might be a series of lines like Roman numerals. Write these down from front to back (#1 to #5). Now look on the block next to the mains. There will be a series of numbers - like the ones on the crank. Sometimes they are stamped on a machined surface near the back, on the bottom of the block instead of inside. Write them down in the same order. Bring these codes to the dealer and he will be able to get you the correct color coded inserts.

Honda bearings are incredibly high quality and made to unbelievably close tolerances. They might be (maybe) a couple of bucks more, but I've tried both over the years in my race car - and now only use the factory ones.

I hope this helps.

 

Othermike is right. Look at the crank and then in the helms. Cross reference the crank and block numbers in the chart to see which color bearings you need.

 

The reason Honda uses colors is that the tolerances are so tight, that Honda builds about 16 different bearing insert combinations for your crank - depending on how many microns of space there is.
That kind of engineering is what sets Honda apart from the companies that you can feel comfortable with just throwing in a "set of bearings" from Pep Boys or somewhere.
If you want to get the most from the engine - and that includes oil pressure - then what you want is the right bearing clearances. I know. I've been racing Hondas for 11 years and driving them since 1976.