MAHLE Quality?

[satterley_sr]

Was installing a set of Mahle rod bearings and one was tight. Took the rod apart and a big flake had come off the brand new bearing. Not impressed with Mahle quality right now.
_________________
DDC racing

[udidwht]

How old?

The Mahle today is not on par with the Mahle years ago.
_________________
1972 Westy Hardtop/Type-4 2056cc
96mm Biral AA P/C's~7.8:1CR
Headflow Masters New AMC 42x36mm heads w/Porsche swivel adjusters
71mm Stroke
73 Web Cam w/Web solids
Dual 40mm IDF Webers - LM-2 - 47.5 idles/125 mains/190 air corr./F11 tubes/28mm Vents - Float height 10.45mm/Drop 32mm
Bosch SVDA w/Pertronix module (7.5 initial 28 total @ 3400rpm)
Bosch W8CC plugs
Pertronix Flamethrower 40K coil
S&S 4-1 w/Walker QP 17862
3 rib 002 Trans
185R14 Hankook tires

[Howard 111]

They use to be made in Germany, and now they are made in Brazil. They are still good pistons, but now days, it's a lesser quality control than when they were in Germany. I hope you can get an exchange without much trouble..
_________________
1973 Karmann Ghia
Turbocharged, Fuel Injected
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=531270

[modok]

The mahle rod bearings were always cheap, LOW performance, bi-metal bearing.
Some people say they work well, but I don't think so.
I would use them in a stock rebuild but not for HP stuff

[satterley_sr]

[PumaVW79]

[Howard 111]

I'm running the KS in the engine I have now. It's what came with the Berg engine kit I bought.
_________________
1973 Karmann Ghia
Turbocharged, Fuel Injected
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=531270

[gprudenciop]

I have had good luck with silverline bearings.
_________________
Never look down at anybody unless you are helping them up..
Loaning someone your strength instead of reminding them of their weakness = kindness..

[modok]

Federal-mogul or KS, seem about equal
Don't know about Silverline, just don't know. I'll buy some and find out, someday, but the silverline cam thrust bearings are screwy, watch out for that.


Why would anybody counterfeit a set of 15$ rod bearings?
Why would anybody buy a set of 15$ rod bearings?
Equally perplexing

[Matthew]

How about metal leve and glyco? I don't know if they are still made but there seems to be plenty of NOS sets around.
_________________
1965 Beetle sedan
Click to view image

[modok]

Sorry I can't be of more help.
I used clevite rod bearings in every Vw engine I ever built, but this year that will have to change.

For a fancy alternative might get King bearings and have them coated. The Chebby crowd loves those, but the way the sizes run on those, your crank will have to be dead on the low side or even .0005 below to have enough clearance. All the brands run a little tighter than I'd like but king is worse, and being an aluminum bearing you don't want to be tight.

[heimlich]

Not all Mahle is fake/etc.

I've got Brazilian bearings and German cylinders that I rescued from under layers of dust.

You just need to know your supplier. Make sure your supplier has a foot in the game.

Also, I think ebay offers protection along with paypal. If you bought it off ebay let them know.
_________________
www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here)

[[email protected]]

I use Silverline as much as possible.
_________________
Please "LIKE" us on facebook to see what we are working on.

https://www.facebook.com/mofoco?ref=ts&fref=ts

www.mofoco.com

Cylinder Head Reference Sheet