Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Technical advice Q&A

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mxke
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#1 Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by mxke » Wed Feb 17, 2021 2:09 am

Curious on your opinion please...
With standard thrust bearings in place, I get 0.008" end float measured with a dial gauge.
This is over the 0.004"-0.006" float in the specs.
The .004" oversize will not go in...probably due to the fact that they are 0.006" over...quality!
Do I:
1) Reorder oversize thrust washers and hope to get something closer to spec? Or slightly under...?
2) Use one oversize and one standard size thrust washer?
If option #2 above, would you put the oversize to the rear or front?
Thanks in advance.
Mike
Mike - 1962 OTS 878380, 1965 Honda S600, 2001 Honda S2000

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abowie
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#2 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by abowie » Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:45 am

Frustrating.

Ideally I'd be chasing a correctly sized new washer.

If you plan to reuse an older one I'd put the thick on the front face as it's your foot on the clutch pushing the crank forward that causes some of the wear.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1979 MGB (supercharged).
Adelaide, Australia

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christopher storey
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#3 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by christopher storey » Wed Feb 17, 2021 8:38 am

There is something in the measurements here which does not add up . If with standard thrusts you have .008 of play, then with a nominal .004 ( but actual .006 ) oversize you should still have .002 of end float. That suggests to me a measurement error somewhere. You have been checking the end float with the main caps fully torqued down ? Or in calculating that the new thrust is out of dimension, have you been comparing it with a worn standard thrust ? before getting desperate, I should start again and re-measure

PS looking at your location, have you been having very low temperatures ? That could just have an effect on the situation

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mxke
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#4 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by mxke » Wed Feb 17, 2021 5:41 pm

Yes standard thrusts that measure at 0.092" x 2 each = end float of 0.008"
The two oversize thrusts at 0.098" x 2 each = no fit due to 0.012" oversize total.
Hard to fit those thrust washers into a 0.008" space.

Shop is at 60 degrees F, so no temperature effect.

Do I reorder a set of standard thrusts in hope of getting something slightly oversize, or mix a standard and oversize thrust to get the correct clearance?

Not sure a set of proper sized oversize thrust will do the job as they would take up all of that that 0.008" float...(0.004" x 2).
Mike - 1962 OTS 878380, 1965 Honda S600, 2001 Honda S2000

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christopher storey
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#5 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by christopher storey » Wed Feb 17, 2021 6:39 pm

Right , Mike - I hadn't appreciated that you have two thrusts over their nominal size . I hesitate suggesting it, but you might try lapping down the backing of the oversize ones with valve grinding paste on a sheet of glass

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ysmalkie
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#6 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by ysmalkie » Wed Feb 17, 2021 7:31 pm

This is exactly what I asked my machine shop to do.

christopher storey wrote:
Wed Feb 17, 2021 6:39 pm
Right , Mike - I hadn't appreciated that you have two thrusts over their nominal size . I hesitate suggesting it, but you might try lapping down the backing of the oversize ones with valve grinding paste on a sheet of glass
Tadek

e-type S1 3.8 FHC - in restoration phase...
Jaguar XK120 OTS
Austin-Healey 100 BN2

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steve3.8
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#7 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by steve3.8 » Wed Feb 17, 2021 8:08 pm

All options are possible
I would do option 2 [ one of each ] which should give .002" end float --- that leaves you just .002" to remove to get to the .004" spec ---that could be just a thou off each one which helps to keep them nice and parallel -for that small amount it can be taken off the lead copper.
Steve3.8

64 3.8 fhc, 67 4.2 fhc

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mxke
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#8 Re: Crankshaft Thrust Bearing Clearance

Post by mxke » Sat Feb 27, 2021 11:15 pm

A generous owner near me had a proper 0.004" oversize thrust bearing. I installed it in the forward position and my end float is now 0.004"
Thank you to all for your assistance!
Mike - 1962 OTS 878380, 1965 Honda S600, 2001 Honda S2000

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