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06-17-2016, 05:10 PM | #1 |
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Just bought a set of VAC/CALICO rod bearings
And they are not marked top/bottom specific so to those who have installed these, is is indeed acceptable to use them in any orientation?
I called VAC about this and was told that these and the "newest OEM bearings" are not top/bottom specific "like the old OEM bearings", and that I can install them in any orientation. 702/703 red/blue bearings are still current, are they not? Last edited by deansbimmer; 06-17-2016 at 05:17 PM.. |
06-17-2016, 05:18 PM | #2 |
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My BE bearings were 100% symmetrical and had no labels.
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06-17-2016, 05:22 PM | #3 |
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Indeed, no labels per se, however the set's I've installed from BE had each shell scribed with a number and "C" for cap, i.e. 1, 1C, 2, 2C, etc.
According to the wiki made by forum members, BE bearings and the VAC set's are the same and top=bottom. |
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06-17-2016, 08:59 PM | #4 |
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11-16-2017, 09:25 PM | #5 | |
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I'm guessing they opened up the mains enough where the crazy .00012 increments bmw shells came in became irrelevant. Thought? Anyone have answers they feel confident in or got in their research? |
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11-17-2017, 07:18 AM | #6 | |
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I explained to you the color situation on the mains. VAC expects you to adjust the crank journals if the assembled dimensions are off with their bearings. If someone else in here with firsthand experience can chime in I'd be curious to hear what they have to say as well. Mains are not a topic that many have experience with. |
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11-17-2017, 07:33 AM | #7 | ||
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11-17-2017, 07:57 AM | #8 | |
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The people using these products or who have the necessary experience to be able to teach are usually too busy working in the shop cranking out engines to take the time to post on internet forums. Sadly, when they do the keyboard warriors chime in and pick apart their input until the experts have enough and leave again. I see it happen all the time. |
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11-17-2017, 07:58 AM | #9 |
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VAC Bearings are indeed the same top and bottom.
As far as their main bearings go, they are just OEM bearings with a coating. Not a custom bearing with extra clearance. I don't know which bearing color they're choosing to use either. I'd have to assume they use smallest.
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11-17-2017, 08:01 AM | #10 | |
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I don't claim to be an expert but this is exactly the case. I try to help everyone out where I can but the arguments by people that don't know the difference between a crankshaft and a camshaft slowly push me away from bothering.
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11-17-2017, 08:20 AM | #11 | ||
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Good stuff, thanks guys! |
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11-17-2017, 09:24 PM | #12 |
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Install and drive away. Mine were the exact same bearings, same company and they were not labeled either. no worries.
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11-18-2017, 12:18 AM | #13 |
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Not all BE Bearings are symmetric. Early ones were symmetric, later ones usually are not. All BE Bearings in the last year or so come with a label marking them uppers and lowers even if they are symmetric. Here's a link to more information on the subject:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=267 VAC doesn't make main bearings. The main bearings they sell are coated OEM bearings. The coating removes the color codes. So it's a bit of a mystery what they started with and what you're getting. Assuming you use he same shells that were originally in the motor (without color codes, impossible to tell), the target clearance is OEM minus the ~0.0005 thickness of the coating itself. Assuming all things equal again, that means it reduces clearance. |
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11-18-2017, 12:35 AM | #14 | |
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11-18-2017, 08:01 AM | #15 |
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When I ordered a a few sets of rod bearings last year from VAC, I inquired about the mains as well as I have two very unique motor builds going together. i was told they are all "greens" which makes logical sense to me to pick the middle target.
I'm guessing in their mind if someone is looking for a higher performance bearing than OEM, the block and bedplate would line bored to spec anyway with a custom crank and clearance verified via bore gage and mic anyway. |
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11-19-2017, 02:05 AM | #16 |
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11-19-2017, 06:40 AM | #17 |
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The pros who post, like deansbimmer and jcolley and a few others, are a great resource for those of us who DIY and for those who just want to learn how things work.
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11-19-2017, 11:33 AM | #18 |
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that's me.
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North American Mr12Volt Carplay/Android Auto Distributor DINAN | EVOSPORT | VAC | ARP | RD SPORT | NEEZ | EIBACH | CSF | IND | BILSTEIN | KLASSEN | BREMBO | ENDLESS | BBS | BPM SPORT | PROJECT MU | EVENTURI |
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11-19-2017, 01:33 PM | #20 | |
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But that being said, Malek@MRF also advised me to use Redline Assembly Lube for even the rod bearings. So I bought a tub and had my mechanic use it on the mating surface of the bearing to the crank.
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11-19-2017, 03:58 PM | #21 | ||
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11-20-2017, 08:28 AM | #22 | |
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I think it's easier to use oil. Pull the fuel pump fuse and let it crank for a while before first start up.
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