The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop UPDATE: Stuck 1954 235 from 09/05/23

Finally got the crankshaft out of the '54 235. Low and behold, the camshaft nor the pistons were stuck and neither were the gears. It was the crankshaft itself! It took ALL my weight ( believe me, that's considerable!!!) of bouncing up and down on a heavy duty pry bar to break it loose. So anyway, took it in to be sent off for resurfacing (crankshaft) and started searching for main and rod bearings. Considering the prices of the main bearings ($200 - $330), is there a difference in quality between TwilightZone, Napa, Jim Carter, Chevs of
the 40s, etc? Hotrod suggested "SBC 400" in another thread, but who carries those or do I not understand that conversation?
Any and all responses will be appreciated ($60 for a set of mains?).

SS

You really don't want to go with the conversion to a different size bearing such as the SBC 400- - - -that's a project for professional machinists with decades of experience and access to lots of expensive machine tools. Let the machinist who regrinds the crankshaft source rod and main bearings- - - -if he drops the ball, it's on him to make it right. Be sure to get the connecting rods reconditioned when the rest of the machine work is done. Main bearings for the 54 and early 55 235 engines with the dowel pins in the upper bearings are extremely scarce, and expensive. It's possible to modify the engine block to accept the later model main bearings that are more plentiful and less expensive, but it's not a job a shade tree wrench jockey should attempt.

Did you loosen the main bearing caps before putting all that force on the crankshaft? That's "engine disassembly 101".
Jerry

Jerry, sent PM