In a message dated 4/1/04 11:15:08 AM Pacific Standard Time,
lang@isis.mit.edu writes:
> The Glaciers that you can buy from TRF and Moss are in fact Al bearing
> material. The design of these bearings is the same as the old ones, but
> the babitting is different (Al) and more "modern". The hard core racers do
> not like these bearings because they will fail rapidly if there are oiling
> problems (even short duration events) and they wind up siezing to the
> crankshaft.
Bob, Bill, John et al,
Re the Clevite bearings,
I spent some time today at work, studying the 2002 telephone book sized
Clevite catalog(ue).
They spend two full pages therein, extolling the virtues of their much
vaunted Clevite 77 TriMetal bearings:
eg: Clevite 77 TriMetal engine bearings outperform & outlast all others.
Designed specifically for the aftermarket engine rebuilders. TriMetal bearings
are
a rare combination of strength & flexibility. A sturdy steel layer provides
maximum support. then, a copper/lead alloy provides strength as well as
durability for extended life, even under harsh conditions. Finally a Babbitt
layer
provides the embedability and conformability that no Bi-Metal bearing can
achieve. With Clevite 77 engine bearings, it all adds up to a superior
performance.
It takes three layers to be number one.
They further invite question to be directed to them at Clevite Engine Parts,
(Dana Corporation), 1350 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-3388.
Website Address : www.engineparts.com
I then looked up Triumph in their catalog, (and ignoring their listing for a
mysterious 1998cc 4 cylinder 2.0 Liter Engine), I note that for the 1998cc 6
cylinder 2.0 Liter AND the 2498cc 6 cylinder 2.5 Liter engine, they list the
following:
Main Bearing Set: # MS-1112P [ALUMINUM AL-3]
and
Con-Rod Bearing Sets # CB-982P [ALUMINUM AL-3] in std, 10, 20 and 30 thou
oversized.
The Thrust Washer Set is # TW-229S [material unspecified]
CSK list prices are $111.99 for the Main Bearings, $15.99 for the Con Rod
Bearings and $21.99 for the Thrust Washers.
Note that these are full list prices and sizeable discounts are available via
partsamerica.com and also by competitive price matching against other parts
houses.
It seems more than a tad hypocritical of Clevite to extoll the virtures of
their own TriMetal bearings and then only quote Bi-Metal Aluminum bearings for
our Triumphs!
I wonder what their reasoning is?
Why do other makes get the TriMetal bearings but we do not?
I suppose that the best we can do is to use High Quality Oil, such as
Valvoline's Synpower, and perhaps a tried and tested friction modifier,
(preferably
without Teflon and/or Molybendum), change it regularly, and use really good oil
& air filters such as K&N.
Anyhow those are my findings.
Best Regard 2 All.
Leon
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