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| | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 67 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 67 | I am rebuilding a 59 235 and when I got my main bearings I was told to get a main bearing shim kit to. When I removed the main caps off the motor thay had no shims under them. My question is do I need these shims ?
SlickT
Last edited by Slickt; 02/12/2009 11:06 PM.
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | You might. The gasket kit should have included them (Fel-Pro does anyway). You'll need to check the clearances on the bearings to determine if they need to be used. The shop manual (you will need both the '58 and '59) has instructions on taking the measurements using Plasti-Gauge.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Slickt,
The only way to accurately know if a shim is required would be to mic the crank. A full rebuild would include rod and main bearings. This means a crank grind, or at least a polish. This involves an automotive machine shop where the crank would be measured and appropriate rod and main inserts ordered.
If the rebuild is done in the garage, the absolute very least that would be required would be a plasti-gauge measurement. This would be the starting point, or reference as to weather shims would be needed or not.
Your '59 engine may have never had any shims on the mains. They are pretty prehistoric in my thinking...but I'm just an old Millwright.
Anything dealing with the rods or mains should be addressed by a automotive machinist and his proper array of measuring tools. Those bearings and clearances are the heart of the engine.
Stuart | | |
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