a buddy of mine said it'ts best to rebuild the engine using "red" bearings... i don't quite get it..

my crank uses almost all different color bearings for clearances.. why would one use only one color if they don't match?

He told me ti's a good idea to put the bearings with a loose fit "more clearances" so you'll get more power and it won't spin a bearing...

does this make any remote sense ?

I could put smaller bearings.. my rods are Crower ibeams with crower bolts so they shouldn't oval and spin if the clearances ?

any input on this ? or should i use the color codes as indicated on the block and forget about it....

 

This is one of the most dangerous bits of "advice" I have seen in a while. If a bearing is too loose, you run a serious risk of spinning that bearing. Always check your bearing clearances. I set all of my bearing clearances in the middle of the spec-around .035mm, and I have never had any bearing problems revving to 9,500 rpm on a regular basis. On the other hand, I have seen motors built by amateurs have multiple bearing failures , using the fuzzy logic of your "buddy". Plastiguage all of your bearings. I have heard some people like to run on the loose end of the specified clearance to pick up hp, and this is o.k., as long as you are still within spec. Throwing in all red bearings is playing Russian roulette with your engine and your wallet.

 

Gotta stay in spec mang...

I've heard of going one size bigger, but never "Just put in all reds".

Suprdave

 

I put in all pinks in my H22..dont think they have reds for the H motor. The pinks are the biggest you can get. That still did not give me the clearance we wanted (.002) So i also had the mains on the crank turned a little.


[Modified by Robb, 1:59 PM 2/18/2003]

 

Great Feedback!

I understand that running more clearance will have a loose bottom end to theoritically give a bit more power when comparing to turning resistance, but also allows for more vibration and engine failure..

I totally understand that clearances are very imporant since all cranks and machining processes are different.

i'm just to figure out how is this bearing issue supposed to give more power without reducing reliability...

i'll have to open the shop manual to check the exact clearances that honda requires.. but on a high reving motor would you guys allow more. if so approx how much ?..

I allready have all oem complete bearings for my motor color coded from my block, so i'm pretty certain after i plastiguage it will be very close to stock specs but i'm mostly wondering if i could get away with a bit more clearances without sacrificing reability....

if so how much clearance that has been tested and proven...

dialy driver but also week-end warrior... only the best of parts were used in this motor.. don't wanna go a cheap route..

thanx guys let me know if anything!!!

 

Honda/Acura bearing colors from loose to tight: red-pink-yellow-green-brown-black-blue.
B18C max clearances: 1,2,4,5 MAIN BEARINGS: 0.050MM
#3 Main Bearing max: 0.060mm
Rod bearing max clearance: 0.060mm.
Unfortunately, don't have a manual for an H22, but this should give you a ballpark starting point.
If I was building a race only motor, I might push the max bearing clearances; but for a dual purpose vehicle, I would tend to stay more in the middle of the specs.