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Thank you so much for taking the time to break this down for me! Your post was VERY helpful.
I will get back under the car when the rod bearings arrive and re-check for the missing fifth number.
I will update this thread with pics of the used conrod bearings for those interested.
I received my rod bearings and rod bolts in the mail. I opened one of the 'upsized' bearings that I bought just in case and thought it looked a bit odd - Dark brown marks down the length of the bearing and also easily "marred" with my finger.
That photographed bearing does not look right and I would return it. New bearings should have a uniform "tin" color - sort of a flat grey.
One of my cars is a 1959 MGA (I swap among three motors for that heap!). Although I've never experienced an issue, my source for bearings for the MGA reports that bearings can deteriorate over time if opened and not returned to a sealed package correctly. But we are dealing in that case with new old stock parts.
I try not to touch the bearing surface. They are easily marred (or at least discolored) by the oils in your finger if you rub them. Before installing, you will need to do the lightest of cleaning with a soft cloth and apply an engine lube to the surface, but otherwise, the less touching of the surface, the better.
They are easily marred (or at least discolored) by the oils in your finger if you rub them.
Long ago, I remember a set of new OEM BMW 2002 main bearings that had what looked like light fingerprint marks etched into the surface. The mechanic I worked with showed them to me before returning them to the dealer.
Sadly, I have found (or caused*) a horizontal mark on the crank when replacing the bearing on Cyl 2.
I note as follows:
- Weird black, smelly fluid running down the crank
- Crank is/was in nice, smooth condition.
- I think I caused a horizontal gouge in the crank by rotating it into the connecting rod when trying to allign for reassembly - the horizontal line catches a finger nail
- Bearing wear higher than cyl 3 and 4 (haven't checked cyl 1 yet).
What do I do now? Is the motor toast? Do I run it as is or do I need a new crank? Do I attempt to polish that specific mark on the crank and reasssmble?
Grateful for any advice.
Scratch on crank near the oil feed hole - my have been caused by the top of the rod hitting the crank during reassembly. The journal 2 crank condition generally Cyl 2 upper and lower rod bearings
