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06-10-2018, 08:36 PM | #1 |
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Official ACL Rod Bearing Measurements
ACL Bearings
ACL Race Bearing Catalog: http://www.aclraceseries.com/images/catalog.pdf Wiki: Full Technical Specifications Photo Blog: About 100 full resolution photos ACL Bearings has a long history in the automotive and racing bearing market. They are the latest company to throw their hat in the ring of S65 aftermarket bearings. ACL markets these bearings as extra clearance. The measurements below will show them to have a little extra clearance over stock bearings. Appearance: At first glance, the ACL bearings look worn and/or damaged. To the untrained eye, they might look like they just came out of an engine showing excessive bearing wear. Don't let the looks deceive you. This is normal appearance for ACL race bearings. ACL addresses this issue in their catalog with a lengthy description of their appearance. (See "Picture Description" below for a direct citation from the ACL bearing manual.) Tools and Calibration All measurements are performed on new "virgin" connecting rods and "virgin" connecting rod bolts. These rods and bolts have never been used in any engine. Using virgin rods and bolts is an essential step for obtaining reliable and calibrated results. After use, every connecting rod big-end is deformed with extra diameter. Using virgin rods and bolts ensures that the measurements obtained will be the same reference as a new factory engine. It's the only way we know to ensure repeatable and reliable results. The image above shows the tools used for this job:
The Mitutoyo drop indicator is used to measure each bearing thickness. It's a very pricey tool that is accurate to 0.00002 inch. It features the ability to data log to computer, categorize the results with go/no-go screen colors, and it's the same tool used by BE Bearings to measure each and every bearing shell thickness. Before beginning to measure thickness, the instrument must be calibrated. The SPI gage blocks are used to set the proper instrument calibration. The bore gauge used to measure the bearing clearance and eccentricity must be calibrated as well. The 2-inch bore gage shown in the picture is accurate to 0.00004 inch. Production and Composition Manufacturer: ACL Picture Description Questions about the appearance of the RACE Series bearings are quite common, as this series of trimetal copper lead bearings have a very different appearance to regular aftermarket “ACL Duraglide” trimetal bearings, which have a light silver /grey appearance. Dimensions Standard (STD) Bearing Clearance Specifications Clearance Measurements Eccentricity Measurements
Supporting photos Last edited by AutoTalent; 12-13-2018 at 08:32 PM.. |
06-11-2018, 09:29 AM | #3 |
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06-11-2018, 10:32 AM | #4 |
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06-11-2018, 02:36 PM | #6 |
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So eccentricity and clearance variance look good then?
I guess it would have been nice to get the HX-STD measured as well, as most people are debating between that and the H-STD. I think there's some confusion here, ACL told me HX-STD is +0.025mm (0.001 inch) extra clearance, but retains the "STD" bit in the part number Any talk of +0.25mm should be in reference to the extra thick bearings which can be used for where the crankshaft journals have been machined down (if they are damaged for instance). With this info, would one opt for the H-STD as the clearance seems greater than OEM anyway? Or still go with HX-STD? Which I guess nominal clearance would be about 0.075mm? Last edited by groovetek; 06-11-2018 at 02:45 PM.. |
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06-11-2018, 05:35 PM | #7 | |
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06-11-2018, 06:51 PM | #8 |
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06-11-2018, 07:17 PM | #9 | |
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That's between you and your engine builder. Earlier you were concerned that Bert would introduce a bias just by measuring and reporting the results. If he answers this question, then he'd be introducing a bias. All of the measurements and graphs for all of the different bearings are at his wiki page. That's the place I'd go if I wanted to compare them and see for myself.
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06-11-2018, 07:28 PM | #10 | ||
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I can buy a set of of bearings and send it to him. That's the least I can do. So please let me know. My comment was in reference to that fact I wish it was the "HX-STD" ones that were measured and not the other ones. |
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06-11-2018, 08:20 PM | #11 | |
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06-11-2018, 11:19 PM | #12 | |
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I don't think you need the HX bearings to figure out the clearance from the current data. The thickness between STD and +25 is exactly what ACL claimed it would be. Just assume the same holds true between STD-H and SDT-HX. |
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deansbimmer3748.50 Scharbag2620.50 |
06-12-2018, 09:32 PM | #13 | |
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I really don't think BE has anything to worry about. Be has...
So, long and short of it, BE has absolutely nothing to worry about and welcomes any competition that can compete on the same level. |
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06-14-2018, 10:35 AM | #14 | |
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BE is the only one that we have extensive information on. Anyone else provides almost zero information and people have to test things out of the goodness of their hearts. ACL certainly seems better than anything VAC touched but it is clearly not at the BE level |
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06-14-2018, 10:54 AM | #15 |
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Too many people get hung up over dollars and cents. BE is the gold standard for the S65/S85 bearings. The others will 'work', but if you're going to do them why not get the BE and have the confidence of their data and warranty to back you up?
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06-14-2018, 12:45 PM | #16 |
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ACL is a quality bearing as well. I would not hesitate to put them in my S65 when I do them again, and am happy to have the choice. Deansbimmer has used ACL main bearings in motors he has rebuilt.
For its premium price, BE has the coating going for it and possibly less variation among sets (better quality control). |
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06-14-2018, 12:53 PM | #17 |
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I've used ACL rod bearings before but only when I couldn't get my hands on BE's and had no choice. WPC treated OEM's for mains.
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06-14-2018, 02:36 PM | #18 |
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Great to have options but here is my thought on this:
Consumable items: Tank of fuel ~ $50 and the S65 uses lots of go-juice Set of 4 tires ~ $1000 and she likes to eat the rears... Oil change ~ $100 if you do it yourself Non wear items (install cost/effort is same for either option): Set of BE bearings = $530.10 (shipped from Redline360 right now) Set of ACL bearings ~$250 (cannot remember exact price but close enough) Difference is ~$270 for something that SHOULD last for the life of the car. Price, IMHO, is not a factor when considering rod bearing replacement. The material cost is only a pittance (~5 tanks of fuel, set of rear tires etc.) compared to the cost/effort to change rod bearings. Furthermore, a rebuild/swap is going to cost 20x the cost of rod bearings. Again, it is nice to have options. Competition is good when it is apples to apples products such as Brembo vs Stoptech etc. But apples and oranges should not be compared as equals - cause we all know that oranges are better. Cheers,
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06-14-2018, 04:07 PM | #19 |
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06-14-2018, 04:09 PM | #20 | |
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06-14-2018, 04:21 PM | #21 |
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Just rods but maybe I mis-typed somewhere. As far as I know ACL doesn't make mains for the S65. I use WPC treated mains.
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06-14-2018, 05:08 PM | #22 | |
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People are free to make their own informed decision. Cheers,
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