Cologne main bearing shims

[D Lenz]

Hello ... Having some difficulties putting a 2.8L back together. Have a reground crank and the bearings supplied came with a 2 part thrust bearing. This block needs a 6 piece thrust bearing. The journal for the the 6 piece is just about .050" too narrow to fit the 2 piece (ie slop). Is there a supplier for shims to make up the difference or should I just go ahead and find 6 piece bearing set, or make my own shims?
Thanks

 

[Tim russell]

What year

 

[D Lenz]

1976

 

[Tim russell]

So my block is a 74 and there are only 2 of the bearings that are trust the other 4 are standard. Did you get thicker bearings to compensate for the grind on the crank.

 

[D Lenz]

This block (and I have 3 blocks which are all the same 1975 & 1976) has reliefs cut for the 6 piece bearings.
The gap on the 2x bearings is roughly .060". Since I could not find any off the shelf spacers or anyone who has run into this problem, I got some peel shim stock and plan to machine some spacers for both sides engine and journal to make up the difference.
I have not measured the 6x yet, however it looks like I could not use those on this crank.
I have included some pictures.

 

[Tim russell]

I'm not sure. I know it took a while to find bearings for mine the engine builder said he had a set ran by the bearing manufacture if you go to kings bearings and go to the e catalog and type in the mb# off the bearing and it will show u the kit and some of the deminsions. The ones that came out of mine were mb431S1

 

[D Lenz]

Thanks ... I looked into King and the only thing I could find was bearings for the later model Bronco II, etc. Nothing for the earlier models. Oh Well!

 

[Tim russell]

Do you have the #s off the bearings. Another thing I've found is to look up stuff over in the uk

 

[D Lenz]

I have checked both Clevite 77 bearing sets I have 6x and 2x and both should fit fine except for the 2x having the gap I mentioned. The space is just about .058-.060. Since I have peel shims (.002 per sheet), I should be able to hit the gap perfectly. Thanks for your help.

 

[Tim russell]

No prob and good luck

 

[D Lenz]

I think I finally solved the problem with the thrust bearing shims. I got a hold of some hardened stainless steel shim stock (.032" thick ... .002" tear-off) and made custom shims.
The measurements showed I was going to need .048" in shims (.024" on a side) but ended up with .044" (.022 on a side) which felt perfect when seating the bearings.
For what it is worth (and sharing the wealth?) I have included the drawing for those shims.
Enjoy!