Hello,

I'm in the middle of rebuilding my '86 22re and I'm gathering experience and opinions on the type of bearings to use. There's lots of good brands out there, but I've been told the bearing material is just as important.

I'm going under the suggestions of an experienced mechanic where I live who's been building race and street cars for as long as I've been alive. He suggested using lead babbitt type bearings over aluminum tin as they are softer and have better embedding properties over the latter. Plus, they are more "forgiving" to a crankshaft that's not been turned. I'm not having my crank turned because the journals are in excellent shape still and the oil clearances are still rather tight. So, I just need some bearings, but I want to get good ones, ya know? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've been reading over lots of info and manufacturers claims about their designs and materials and it seems everyone's hot on the aluminum tin alloy type. The claims, of course, is that are a big improvement over the tri metal/babbitt. Kind bearings are a prime example. I know that engnbldr sells that brand, but don't know what materials the ones they sell are made of. The local stores around here are rather limited....most can't tell me what their bearings are made of and only one I've found has the babbitt....Clevite brand.

I'd like to make a decision by Fri. so I can buy something and have the crankcase back together by next week, but I'm in a quandry. If anyone would care to offer some advice based on their experiences, I would love to hear it.

Thank you,
Matthew