Do you apply assembly lube or any kind of grease to the back (journal side) of the main and rod bearings?

 

yes it helps them spin faster...

j/k. NO, you want the back side to be dry.

 

actually you want them to be clean and dry... I usually wipe them down with alcohol or engine degreaser prior installing them. If they are lubed.. it can/will result in a spun bearing

 

Great thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by doublejz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">actually you want them to be clean and dry... I usually wipe them down with alcohol or engine degreaser prior installing them. If they are lubed.. it can/will result in a spun bearing</TD></TR></TABLE>
are you serious?\
when i rebuild engines i cleaned the mains as best i can then i put moly lube on the caps and bearings my engines dont spin bearings.
you dont wnat metal to metal so lube them up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jdmhatchness &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
are you serious?\
when i rebuild engines i cleaned the mains as best i can then i put moly lube on the caps and bearings my engines dont spin bearings.
you dont wnat metal to metal so lube them up. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Just to make sure, are you referring to the backsides of the bearings? Obviously the sides of the bearings that touch the crank definately need to be lubed, just wanted to double check. Honestly I did lube the backsides of the bearings on my first build, thought I'd double check since I'm rebuilding once again.

 

Also one other somewhat related question, should I lube the upper bearings when I plastiguage for clearances? According to this post: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=991796

"Once pressed into their desired spots, we lubricated the (5) upper bearings using "Federal Mogul Assembly Lubricant." Once you have the upper bearings (upper bearings also will have a round oil hold machined into the bearing) well lubricated we then set the crankshaft into its correct settings so we could measure correct bearing to journal clearance using (green) plexigage."

**** Quote taken from the sixth paragraph after the 1st picture.*****

Btw, the upper bearings are being referred to the bearings in the block, rather the the bearings in the caps where the plastiguage is used. Suggestions??

 

just lube wherever metal on metal friction occurs. as in the front side of the bearing. upper and lower. leave the back dry because it doesnt move at all

 

A light coat of oil on the back and assembly lube on the bearing face.

I use oil on the bearings while clearancing. After everything is cleaned again for final assembly, then I start to apply the assembly lube.

I'm not sure how other brands like Royal Purple stack up, but Torco is less viscous than that Federal-Mogul green gel stuff. Less of it will run off and thin out if the motor has to sit for a bit.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IN VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A light coat of oil on the back and assembly lube on the bearing face.

I use oil on the bearings while clearancing. After everything is cleaned again for final assembly, then I start to apply the assembly lube.

I'm not sure how other brands like Royal Purple stack up, but Torco is less viscous than that Federal-Mogul green gel stuff. Less of it will run off and thin out if the motor has to sit for a bit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good info, thanks Ben

 

1. The back sides that sit in the jounal should not be lubed. If you lube them, you will get an improper reading when you measure your clearances.

2. Do not use assembly lube until your final assembly, after all your clearences are checked. Once again, you will get false readings.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cuda70 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1. The back sides that sit in the jounal should not be lubed. If you lube them, you will get an improper reading when you measure your clearances.

2. Do not use assembly lube until your final assembly, after all your clearences are checked. Once again, you will get false readings.</TD></TR></TABLE>

right on!!!

1) NO LUBE WHAT SO EVER during clearancing.
2) Bearings should be installed in to there journals DRY.
3) Use assembly lube on the bearing faces before installing caps.

plain and simple.

FYI: lubing the back side of the bearing will not guarentee spinning because during normal operation oil does make its way behind the bearing, but you just don't do it during assembly.