Hey,

I had to torque my crank to 38 ft bcuz at 54 ft the crank is so tight i cant spin it. Im using new main bearing on top... used in the bearing caps... the crank is too tight man.... its a B18c5 with a B18A (LS) crank... LS bearing caps as well... ive also tried GSR bearing caps.

Help. I need to know why the crank is so tight. Engine is still upside down on my work bench. I need to get this build complete guys.

What bearings, if that is the problem... which bearing shud i use?

Thanks

 

makes sure you check all the clearances.

 

There are several sizes of main bearings. Use Plastigage to determine the bearing clearance.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bigdawgky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...............its a B18c5 with a B18A (LS) crank... LS bearing caps as well... ive also tried GSR bearing caps.
</TD></TR></TABLE> did you line bore the journals after you mix-n-matched the caps???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dat_dude_Ken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> did you line bore the journals after you mix-n-matched the caps???</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good point.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dat_dude_Ken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> did you line bore the journals after you mix-n-matched the caps???</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, I agree, extremely good point. If the caps you have on there are not the originals and you did not have it line honed it is pretty safe to say that you are screwed.

Did you check to make sure the crankshaft is straight? Do you have a dial indicator? To check the straightness of the crank put the block half bearing inserts in the first and last bearing bores and set the dial indicator on the middle journal. The dial indicator should read no more than half the specified bearing clearance. You also need to check the journals for taper and out-of-roundness. If you check bearing clearance with plastigauge remember that the bearing and journal need to be absolutely clean and dry before doing the measurment.

Also, was the thrust bearing installed? Did you seat the thrust bearing before trying to turn the crank? What was thrust clearance?

 

I am amazed that people like this are trying to build motors.... My best advice is stop now, and take the car to a knowledgeable person.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dirty ’ol DC2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am amazed that people like this are trying to build motors.... My best advice is stop now, and take the car to a knowledgeable person.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I guess not all of us were born with the skills of a master mehcanic. However, joo are right...lol.

 

i strongly suggest u get an expert to look at ur engine, the least is buy a helms manual. you cant mix bearing caps. they are numbered and have corresponding place in an engine.

 

No wonder the crank isnt spinning.. LOL

 

Stop hating on the kid trying to build his motor lol. Everybody got to start somewhere and yall should give him a thumbsup for being brave.

 

My recommendation at this point would be to put down the tools, put down the engine parts, go buy some books and read them - or take some classes. The previous poster is right, we gotta give you props for trying but if you don't stop and learn how to do it right you are going to have a big, expensive pile of metal on your hands - or worse you could hurt yourself.

 

And just so you know it should take:

10 ft lbs to start the cranks rotation
6 ft lbs to sustain it.

 

DOnt take it too literally

 

^^^Huh?

 

Send it to a reputable machine shop and have it done right. I began assembling my block a few months ago with ACL bearings and everything came out very tight. So I drove down and met up with Sean at ERL and he took all my parts, measured everything, and then line honed the block to ensure that all the clearences were what I needed. I will never build another motor without know all of the measurements of the parts. This allows you to put your clearances to whatever you desire.