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you probably already know that you will need to plastigage for the correct size, I would think it would be more about the amount of clearance you want to run, to get the oil pressure you desire,
You need to use a borescope and micrometers that are accurate enough to read in ten thousandths if you really want to check clearances, or just get a machine shop to do the measuring for you. Plastigage isn't really accurate enough. It's better than nothing, or as a rough check, but I wouldn't depend on it.
King has some pretty good bearings. Lots of people use Clevite and all the other common brands just fine too.
Clearances, IMO, are more important than which brand name is on the bearings
I have the proper tools .I am going to check my main caps to see if they are out of spec or not ,not sure if I am going to us arp studs or not (yes arp will require a line hone) just wondering what brand people use iv always requested acl when iv sent motors out to be built .
As for clearance I have read someone tested a ls2 aluminum block by heating it up to 220 degrees an it was .003 bigger and thy say per jurnal diameter .02 I believe so I'd probably run a clearance in the .0015 is
I have the proper tools .I am going to check my main caps to see if they are out of spec or not ,not sure if I am going to us arp studs or not (yes arp will require a line hone) just wondering what brand people use iv always requested acl when iv sent motors out to be built .
As for clearance I have read someone tested a ls2 aluminum block by heating it up to 220 degrees an it was .003 bigger and thy say per jurnal diameter .02 I believe so I'd probably run a clearance in the .0015 is
Yeah it will loosen up more than an iron block at normal running temp.
.0015 to .002 seems to be a reasonable place to end up. I'm sure some go looser. If it were mine I'd go for .002 I think
You can get the bearings anywhere. Texas Speed has them I think
I think it depends on what it's used for and what oil pump you're going to use. I've gotten my hands on a few build sheets and it seems around 2 thou is pretty common on aluminum blocks. I don't think .0015 would be a problem as long as everything is line honed, etc. to make sure it's all straight. In a nitrous or forced induction motor I'd probably go a little larger.
I'm no engine builder though, I just play one on the internet
Oh well that's what I'm building is a nitrous motor lol and of course I'd use a milling oil pump.I'd build it to a spec anyone would think is better then my idea I am no ls engine builder in fact this will be my first but I am mechanically inclined do to my job .
You think .002 cold would be better or somewhere around there ?
I hate for you to go with what I'd probably do then it be a bad idea since it's not like I've built a ton of these...
I'll try to dig up some of the build sheets I found a while back. Most were around 0.002" though on main bearing clearances from what I remember. Everything I read said 0.003" is too much on aluminum LS engines, the clearance just get too big once it's hot..
Gotcha . It's a street car rite now on a 225 shot stock motor ls2 gna be doing same with it once I finish the motor but with more nitrous.I'd did some looking around on ls1tech also
You need to use a borescope and micrometers that are accurate enough to read in ten thousandths if you really want to check clearances, or just get a machine shop to do the measuring for you. Plastigage isn't really accurate enough. It's better than nothing, or as a rough check, but I wouldn't depend on it.
King has some pretty good bearings. Lots of people use Clevite and all the other common brands just fine too.
Clearances, IMO, are more important than which brand name is on the bearings
borescope? don't over think it, been a machinist for 37 years, plastigage is fine
Plus a sheet of paper is .003" thick, checking the actual gap to tolerances of less than .001" is what it is
I have built many (5) engines with this method, NA 500+ HP
don't over think it, been a machinist for 37 years, plastigage is fine