Hal,
The centre main has a harder life than the end bearings so generally it's
only the centre main that gets the reinforcing strap. I have however, seen a
photo of an A-series engine with all 3 bearing caps strapped.
In my opinion it's simpler not to bother having the centre main strapped but
to have a steel 4 bolt main instead. Ok it's not simpler as the block has to
be drilled and tapped. I think you can get 2 bolt performance main caps and a
set of 2 bolts and a set of 4 bolts.
When the old engine comes out of my car and the new one is in and running
I'll pull the sump to have a look to see what the engine builder did with the
oil
pickup pipe. Remember both Vizard and Hamill are very bias in text and
photos to the transverse A-series. The new engine in my Sprite is having a 4
bolt
main and it is drilled and tapped for the oil pickup pipe. If you get a 4
bolt main for the Mini (or Austin Metro) you'll find it isn't drilled and
tapped
for the oil pickup pipe.
Have a look at www.aptfast.com and their section on main bearing caps and
stuff.
Regards
Daniel1312
In a message dated 12/06/07 19:24:49 GMT Daylight Time, hal@katemuir.com
writes:
> Spridgeteers,
>
> I notice that both Vizard and Des Hammil recommend strapping the center main
> bearing cap on an A-series engine. No one says anything about the other
> two. Is it desirable to strap either of the others? I am thinking of the
> rear main in particular. Any suggestions, ideas?
> When the center main cap is strapped what happens to the oil pick-up
> bracket? Should the strap be drilled and tapped and the bracket modified,
> or is one attachment point sufficient? It seems that if the oil pick-up
> works loose it could have rather deleterious effects on the bottom end of
> the motor, either by oil starvation or by direct interference with the
> motion of the crank.
>
> Hal
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