Engine Assembly Question

[Deathseeker31]

Hello Everybody

I have a quick question here as i am assembling my motor and wanted to know if someone here could help me. I was assembling my motor yesterday and once i installed all rods the crank was not able to turn with the full rotating assembly. I started loosening each rod and noticed that the crank was easier to turn after number rods 3 and 5 were loose. I started reading the TSRM and my Haynes manual and realized i installed the bearings on incorrectly. I put assembly lube on the bottom of the rods and where they mate to the crank. Today i took the bearings all out cleaned all the assembly lube and reinstalled them PROPERLY now the crank turns with one finger smoothly.
My question is when i took the bearings out i noticed they were scratched, should i go ahead and buy new bearings??? or do you guys think that they will be ok. The motor has not been in the car at all. All input would be preferred.

Here's a picture of the bearing on number 5:

This is the worst one, most of them are not that bad.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Ricky

 

[IJ.]

Buy some plastigauge.

 

[Deathseeker31]

Thanks IJ.

I used plastigauge on all the rods earlier today and they were all within TSRM specs. I don't have the numbers in front of me but i did check to make sure i had the correct bearings and to double check the machine shops work.

 

[IJ.]

If it had clearence re: plastigauge it shouldn't be locking up!

You're not assembling it dry are you?
<edit> Read the full post

It has to have a liberal coating of assembly lube on ALL mating/moving parts.

 

[Deathseeker31]

correct, i put lube on the surface that mates with the crank. I need to put lube on the surface that mates with the rods also????? Right now it only has lube on the mating surface that mates with the crank.

 

[IJ.]

No just on the side that faces the crank.

You also need some on the flanks of the bigends where they touch the crank.

There is going to be some "stiction" from the lube when it's all bolted down but it should turn using a ratchet/19mm socket on the crank bolt.

 

[Deathseeker31]

Thank you IJ i really appreciate the help. right now as it sits the full rotating assembly is reinstalled and it does turn smoothly. I can actually turn it with a ratchet with one finger. My only concern is that since the new bearings look like they have gotten damaged should i just go ahead and buy new bearings??? I think the reason for them being like that is because yesterday i put assembly lube on both sides of the bearings. The bearings that are on there are Clevite standard size. PN: CB1437P

 

[IJ.]

Ahhh got ya now!!

Assmebly lube on the backs would remove any clearence you had!

For what a set of bearings is worth I'd replace them so it's not in the back of your mind.

They could be saved using some scotchbright plastic pot scrubber type material and polish the marks out but it will increase bearing clearence a few microns.

 

[Deathseeker31]

Thank you IJ very much i appreciate it.

 

[IJ.]

Don't forget to plastigauge the new bearings if you go that route