Con rod bearings - Silverline vs KS

[BJ1]

This topic comes up from time to time, but I thought I would share some experience with you. I'm currently rebuilding a 1776 using a Rimco crank reground to take 0.75 OS bearings. The regrind was perfect in every respect.

I normally fit Silverline mains and rod bearings and find the standard and 0.25 bearings pretty well spot on. I fitted Silverline mains to this engine and as usual they were a perfect fit. Then I trial fitted the rods with the 0.75 OS Silverline bearings. The rods were super tight on the journals with these bearings fitted. So I miked up the rods again - all to spec and perfectly round. Then I fitted the bearings and miked it again - big surprise! The bearings appeared to be over a thou too thick, making the bearing an interference fit on the journal! Weird or what?

So I ordered a set of 0.75 OS Kolbenschmit rod bearings and compared them. Firstly the KS bearings were, unlike the Silverlines, nicely chamfered at the edges and had better tangs. When I fitted them to the rods they were exactly correct, giving a 2 thou clearance on the journals. Now I've used STD and 0.25 Silverlines before with no problems, so it may be that only the larger sizes are too thick, but I would be interested if anyone else has found this problem recently.

[uglyduck]

Just tried 2 sets of Silverline rod bearings (std.) on a 2007 build and both have been tight, it seems that the tangs aren't correct.

[modok]

I have heard nothing good about silverline rod bearings.
Still wondering where they come from. There does not seem to be any company of that name.
What type of bearing are they?

If you are looking for aluminum type, in addition to Mahle, there is also King & Moresa

KS is the only tri metal bearing left far as I know, besides old stock FM

[BJ1]

[BJ1]

There is a Silverline factory in Mexico City. Ermita Iztapalapa 1999-2, Los Ángeles, Iztapalapa, 09830 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico.

Can one of our Mexican members let them know that some of their rod bearings are oversized and need the sides chamfered to accommodate the radius on the crank journal?

[Chickensoup]

Sorry, I didnt take the time to read all the comments so mark this as irrelevant if it is.

But have you considered new mahle rod bearings? I know many builders use them and quality seems to be good from the 5 sets I've bough although I have measured all of them torqued down in the con rods.
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Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

[BJ1]

[ekacpuc]

I ordered sliverline without knowing and they were too tight. I don't recall the clearance but I ended up getting mahle.


Off subject but I did the same with double thrust cam bearings. The mahle were way too tight but the silverline were much better. Just hear about how terrible the silverline is for everything but mains...

[c77owen]

I typically run Clevite/Mahle rod bearings after having a problem with a set of Silverlines. They measured out fine, but the material delaminated in shortly after cam break in. I have also run Sealed Power rod bearings on stock or near stock engines with good luck. I did run into a situation where I had several sets of Clevite bearings, all manufactured the same date and all were too tight. That is the only issue I have had with them.

[esde]

The silverline rod bearings have a purpose: when you have a slightly scored rod journal, and don't want to grind it to the next full oversize, polish it till you get the right clearance with the silverline bearings. I have done it once, and it worked well to get the oil clearance back to within stock specs.
_________________
modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[modok]

Without having a catalog there are no specifications to check, no instructions, no part numbers, and no complaint department.
it might be a .002" oversize bearing. I'd check the crush.
Most "parts sellers" don't even know the difference between undersize and oversize so the only way it works is with a catalog and order the right part number.
No catalog, no company IMO

[BJ1]

[VWporscheGT3]

[modok]

the part number has a T at the end
What does the T stand for?

[Zundfolge1432]

Tight😀

[modok]

[67rustavenger]

I have had good results using Sliverline con rod bearings in the past. Until last night.

Installed a set and three of the rods move freely on the journal. But one rod has a sticky point that loosens up at two points when I rotate the rod all the way around the journal.
Measuring the rod bearings (with a dial bore gauge), I get a consistent .0025 bearing clearance.

I moved the rod from #1 to the #2 journal and the results were the same. A sticky point when rotating the rod around the journal, just not as sticky as #1.

I'm gonna switch the bearings from one rod to another and see if it's the rod, or the bearing. I suspect the bearing.
The rods are Scat Scat H beam, with ARP 3/8 bolts.

In the mean time, I placed an order for a set of Mahle rod bearings this morning.

Like I said above. I have had good results with Silverline bearings in the past.
This time, the mains measured all over the place and the rod bearings are giving me problems too.
I don't even bother with Silverline cam bearings.

Sorry for dragging up an old thread. But I thought it better to contribute to this, than start a new one on the same subject.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[67rustavenger]

Well, Yeah. No matter what rod I placed the questionable bearing on.
The selected, rod was still a bit sticky in rotation.

Welcome new Mahle bearings!

Never again will accept Silverline bearings of any sort!
Fn money down the drain.

Live and learn!
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[toomanytoys]

Tried using a set of Silverline std. rod bearings last week. They were very tight. I had a set of Mahles and they fit perfectly.

[toomanytoys]

Tried using a set of Silverline std. rod bearings last week. They were very tight. I had a set of Mahles and they fit perfectly.