rod bearing question

[crushnut]

Should the bearings have a channel or groove in the middle running the length of the bearing, or should it be flat?

Thanks

 

[Route666]

The groove is to help distribute oil, and to keep a little reservoir in each rod bearing. So yes it is meant to have a groove.

 

[D.Hearne]

Never seen rod bearings that had a groove, only mains.

 

[Route666]

lol ok, maybe I was thinking mains. Yeh I think I remember some without grooves, that were smaller, so I guess they're rod bearings. Last time I took an engine apart was a while ago. (and I was a young kid)

*Phew, regained some dignity there...*

Hang on did I think that or say it?

AHHHH!

 

[crushnut]

So no channel for rod bearings, only on mains? Thats weird because i have seen pictures of rod bearings with the channel I guess our cars dont require them, huh?

 

[crushnut]

Like these:

I would think that you would want the channel to improve oil distribution through out the bearing, plus these have a hole in them too These are main and rod bearings for a 289/302.

 

[LMan]

only rod bearings Ive seen that had grooves, they weren't there by design

..but I guess that doesnt mean somebody doesnt make some

 

[brianj5600]

I have bearings in my garage. They have a small hole, but no groove. 351w that is. I'm sure that is all rod bearings.

 

[crushnut]

Ok now im just confused And not sure what i need

 

[LMan]

I think its a nice-to-have that certainly couldnt hurt, but I personally wouldnt spend mucho shekels on them that way. Ive never heard of an engine going south b/c their rod bearings werent grooved

 

[brianj5600]

All the bearings in the above pic are mains!!! Mains are grooved in the top only. Rods = no groove.

 

[Mach1steve]

correct

Brian is correct
no grooves on Rod bearings

 

[6Stang7]

Were did you buy your bearings from? Take them back and make sure that they give you rod bearings.

-Shaun

 

[D.Hearne]

All the bearings in the above pic are mains!!! Mains are grooved in the top only. Rods = no groove.

There are sets of mains that have both halves grooved. Seen several sets, mainly on FE Series main bearing sets

 

[brianj5600]

Full grooves on mains scare me. The bottom takes all the load. Seems like solid lowers would take more abuse. Do all FE's use full grooves.

 

[brianj5600]

Wow! I just check the mains for my motor.....full grooves!!! I don't rmember what the mains of mf 302 looked like. Maybe the massive mains like more oil.

 

[D.Hearne]

The FE's need more oil but I too would prefer no grooves on the bottoms. I guess the full grooves are a quick fix for mfg cost's and to emulate the older 390 Hi-po crank's fully grooved journals.

 

[crushnut]

Thanks guys