Anyone using this new main/rod bearing material?

[thehueypilot]

Anyone using this new main/rod bearing?

Does anyone have any actual experience with this new material/process yet?
I have a stroker motor and it is going through bearings after two seasons. They are very pricey ($180/set) but would be worth it if they lasted more than 2 seasons.


This is what Summit Racing desciption says: These Federal Mogul Duroshield Competition series main bearings feature the latest technology in performance engine bearings. The unparalleled H-14 alloy 3/4-groove lubrication design and "ramp and flat" thrust bearing configuration revolutionized the racing bearing industry. Duroshield coated bearings feature a micro-thin, unique, enhanced molybdenum disulfide in a polymer base. The coating's hydrophilic matrix becomes part of the bearing, absorbing oil for high lubricity and low friction.

 

[mustangdave]

No, but if you are going through bearings that fast, you need to pull that engine and check clearances. Something is wrong.

 

[rbohm]

No, but if you are going through bearings that fast, you need to pull that engine and check clearances. Something is wrong.

agreed.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

They sound like fairly regular bearings that just have a moly-impregnated polymer coating. If you're eating bearings that badly, the moly coating might buy you a little time, but once it's gone, the bearings will be toast again. They're probably made for engines that get torn down more often than yours.

I'm with the others that the cause of the problem should be investigated. Oil pressure? Clearances? RPM?

 

[Route666]

You can send any bearings to HPC and they'll coat them with a similar oil-retentive low friction coating, probably the same stuff. I'd like to see how much benefit they would give on a street build (tighter fit on the bearings).

 

[thehueypilot]

The one bad trait of an extreme stroker (427) is that is wears out the rod bearings quicker than a non stroked engine. It does not help that I spin it up to 6.5k during each run. I try to replace the bearings every two or three seasons, but this one caught up to me before I was ready.

 

[1320stang]

I can't remember, but I was thinking, on the FE forum we had a discussion about the 3/4 groove bearings. They had these in the 'real' 427's and I was thinking we had decided that they were no longer needed with today's oils and bearing materials and coatings.

 

[thehueypilot]

I can't remember, but I was thinking, on the FE forum we had a discussion about the 3/4 groove bearings. They had these in the 'real' 427's and I was thinking we had decided that they were no longer needed with today's oils and bearing materials and coatings.

I have run synthetic oil in this motor (fake 427.....ouch.... from day one and changed it after each race (all 8 qts + filter). I guess I stressed it beyond the original design intent? I was hoping for a high tech fix like these bearings?

 

[1320stang]

Man, I don't know any outlaw guys that change oil after every race. They do only run a dozen or two passes on their PG's and change them out, putting new synthetic fluid in them.

I'm not so sure that maybe you have an alignment problem, stock block? I'd maybe look into a line bore, or at least tear the block down and have it checked and the crank checked for straightness. How many passes per year do you put on it? High 11's shouldn't stress it that bad, we put about 150 passes on my 289 and changed out the rod bearings (aluminum rods), but I think the mains are still the ones from when I got the engine (about 200 passes). It's in a '68 coupe with a windage tray, Mech. Roller .588/.608, Canfield heads, Funnel Web, Hooker Super Comps, Pro Systems 750 DP (830 I think), parts store dist. locked, MSD 6al, 1.6 rollers, 2.5" exhaust, series 40 w/ H pipe, PA Super Comp C4 with transbrake (never used, 28 spline stock axles) 4000 stall Trans Specialties, Granada disk, drum rear, 4.56 gears, MDRC subframe, MDRC traction bars, MDRC rollbar, 275 BFG drag radials, last pass was on a 1000' track, I think it calculated to about the same as your best. It now has had port work done, titanium valves and decked a bit. We'd run it to 12.0s on 255/70/15 Dunlop GT Qualifiers, I'm hoping for some 50's.

 

[latamud]

Black Gold!

I have run synthetic oil and changed it after each race (all 8 qts + filter).

I wished I lived next to you. Every time I have spare oil it gets poured into my winter beater falcon. It burns through a quart in a couple days. I've pulled two 3rd members recently, guess where the gear oil went? That stuff really quiets up the rockers. I'm about ready to go hang out at the auto hobby shop on base with my oil catch can and wait for someone to change their oil. The 260 is on its last leg. Its like riding a one legged horse!

 

[mtbdoc]

This is a puzzle. Frankly I am suprised you aren't making more HP and running better 1/4's than that, given you serious set-up on a 427 stroker. I would have expected > 400rwhp.

Question: is this output a bit low, and if it is, might there be a connection between that and the bearings?

 

[thehueypilot]

This is a puzzle. Frankly I am suprised you aren't making more HP and running better 1/4's than that, given you serious set-up on a 427 stroker. I would have expected > 400rwhp.

Question: is this output a bit low, and if it is, might there be a connection between that and the bearings?

That's is a good question.....I will be tearing it about over the Christmas break. It is a CHP short block and I used them because they are supposed to be the leaders in stroker blocks and have excellent quality. The block has about 220 passes.

 

[classic boost]

It is a CHP short block...

there's your problem. take the block to a competent local machine shop and get it done right.

 

[thehueypilot]

there's your problem. take the block to a competent local machine shop and get it done right.

You had a bad experience with them? I would like to know what it was so I can get the whole picture of a company I am dealing with.

 

[classic boost]

You had a bad experience with them? I would like to know what it was so I can get the whole picture of a company I am dealing with.

i didn't buy an engine from them (thank god), but i've spent a few hundred through them. absolutely, with question, THE worst customer service i've ever experienced with any company in my life.
i'm sure if you took some time and searched various mustang boards you'll find enough horror stories (regarding product quality and customer dissatisfaction) to realize that you have an expensive paper weight.
sorry for your bad luck.

 

[thehueypilot]

i didn't buy an engine from them (thank god), but i've spent a few hundred through them. absolutely, with question, THE worst customer service i've ever experienced with any company in my life.
i'm sure if you took some time and searched various mustang boards you'll find enough horror stories (regarding product quality and customer dissatisfaction) to realize that you have an expensive paper weight.
sorry for your bad luck.

I can confirm the very poor customer service......but then again it is a wide spread occurrence since the new "moron" management position is that anybody can do any job as long as they are good BS'ers. You are correct about the local shops but I do not have access to a good one.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

This is a puzzle. Frankly I am suprised you aren't making more HP and running better 1/4's than that, given you serious set-up on a 427 stroker. I would have expected > 400rwhp.

Question: is this output a bit low, and if it is, might there be a connection between that and the bearings?

That is what I said a long time ago, when I saw his sig. Unfortunately nobody pays attention to little old me.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Let me add to the fact that he is spinning it all the way to 6500 rpms the numbers should be way way higher, probably another 150rwhp more added to the wheels and then it would sound right with his combo.

 

[thehueypilot]

I got the bearings from Summit Racing Wednesday and the thrust bearings of the main bearing pack were shipped loose within the box. Duhhhhh! You can guess that they scratched the heck out of each other. I called Summit to tell them to send me a new set and to issue a call tag for UPS to pick up the bad set. I told them it looked like a packaging issue with Federal Mogul and he should look at another set before they waste my time again, but he said it was probably a one time deal but he would send me a new set UPS red. Well guess what......I will be sending back both sets for the same reason. Maybe it was a sign to put regular bearings back in?