hey guys, just wanted to put this out there in case you have plans to rebuild a 2.8. I am in the middle of doing a rebuild and I have run into a snag that I wnat to pass along. The main bearings in standard size are extremely hard to find. Cleavit isn't making them, Mogul (if you can find them) might still have some standards around, I had to order .020 US and am now getting the crank ground down to fit the bearings. So if in your plans are to rebuild a 2.8 check the availibity of the main bearings and you might want to budget into your build the possibilty of a crank grind if you can't get standard mains. Food for thought. Yes I am in Canada, however, that doesn't seem to matter if the parts are discontinued.
cheers
The parts house that had the rod bearings that I bought had located a set of main bearings in Chicago.As far as I know they were standard.
I have a 1963 Rambler with their straight 6 that has been around since the early 50's. A crank shop was able to find me standard size bearings for even that ancient piece. Even if they are not made, someone out there probably has a set - somewhere. You just have to hunt for them. Still it was not a bad idea to get your crank turned. It is worth it in the long run.
Side note: The rambler "6'" has four main bearings, not seven like a modern inline 6. It was about 5-10 years ago I checked and the mains were well over $150. Seems like there is a price for an item, then to get rid of stuff it drops, then it shoots through the roof because it becomes rare.
Tom
the price I was quoted for mains was $48 for the set.
Interesting, I had a hell of a time trying to locate anything here for the 70's block in standard. Are the 80's block and the 70's block the same size mains? or is there a difference?
As for turning the crank, I am on the fence for things like that, unless there is a real problem with it, why turn them? For now if something goes wrong and it truely needs a turn to fix it, now that it has been turned you only get one more shot before you have to get a new one. Same with boring out a block, unless you want that oversized piston, why take out what doesn't need to be taken away. saves for the next time when you might need to go that route. harder to put the steel back in after it is gone. (just my way of looking at it)
flash, the est in Chicago, did they say what make they are/were?
thanks
The parts house here (a small independent one) just says they were in Chicago.A warehouse i presume. The rod bearings I got were Federal Mogul.