Engine Bearings

 

            SRG Bearing Company have been an industry leader in RC Engine bearing replacement since 1997. Reducing rolling resistance and conserving energy has been our hallmark. We offer a full line of standard & ceramic hybrid bearings specifically designed for today's demanding RC Engines. Various ABEC tolerances, radial plays, retainer styles and seal/shield configurations are available. To make things easier for you we have compiled bearing kits and listed them according to the RC Engine manufacturer and model. Just click on Search By RC Engine Brand or use the Brand Search at the top of any page.

 

            Let's start with bearings. Common reasons for replacement include noise and low oil pressure. If a bearing has seized or spun, it will take more than a new set of bearings to fix the problem. The crankshaft journal will likely have suffered damage so turning the crank to undersize will probably be necessary. The big end of the connecting road may also be damaged or out-of-round which will require reconditioning the rod or replacing it.

 

            Replacement bearings come in standard as well as various undersizes, so rule number one is to make sure the bearing size matches the crank journals. Typical undersizes include .010, .020 and .030 inch., which are usually marked on the back of the bearing shell. To determine the correct size if the crank has not been turned, the diameters of the rod and main journals on the crank must be measured with a micrometer. Machinists will usually mark the journal size on the crank if the crank has been reground. Bearing clearances should always be measured when the bearings are installed to make sure they have the correct fit.

 

            The old bearings will often tell a story as to why they failed. If the bearings are full of scratches and abrasion, dirt and/or a lack of adequate lubrication probably played a role in their demise. Lack of proper maintenance (not changing the oil and filter often enough) may be the real culprit. A worn oil pump and/or clogged oil pump pickup screen may also have been factors, so these parts should also be inspected and replaced if necessary.

 

             Use assembly lube when installing new bearings to protect the bearings and journals until the engine can be fired up. Dry starts ruin a lot of newly installed bearings, so priming the oil system prior to cranking the engine (if possible) can reduce this risk.