Alecular bearings successfully withstand the stresses of blown, nitro-methane burning Top Fuel dragsters generating 5,000 hp at 8,000 rpm and in 700 hp circle track engines running for extended periods of time. The same metallurgical alloy is used in [King bearings] that is used in King’s High Performance bearings, so the regular bearing user gets the advantage of the alloy developed and used in race engines.

The Alecular material’s melting/fatigue point is over 11000 F, almost three times that of the thin babbitt overlay in a tri-metal bearing (400OF). This means added protection against localized overheating due to mis-alignment, detonation, overloading, loss of coolant, etc.

Bearing -to- journal clearances on main and connecting rod bearings can be affected by several variables, all of which the engine builder must try to control. King has removed concerns about inconsistent shell to shell bearing wall thickness by the use of statistical control methods to keep wall thickness to very limited variation.

Other manufacturers produce skf bearings whose wall thickness at the crown can vary by up to + .00025". King bearings are produced using "Bull's Eye" specs which set a higher standard of controlling the wall thickness, permitting no more than + .00010" variation of the desired thickness.

The benefits of tight control of wall thickness tolerance are: 

1. Improved consistency of bearing to journal clearance. No more trying different bearings within a set to get the "right" fit. Superior eccentricity and crush relief values for a better oil "wedge" and less journal wear. Less taper across the bearing face, meaning superior wall stability, a more parallel wall and better oil film development.

 

2. Crankshaft grinder does not need to grind cranks "fat" or "thin" to compensate for koyo bearing variations.