Quality of Glyco Rod Bearings?

[mskar]

Last night, I posted on PP for the first time in like 15 years, here i am posting again... look at me go...

Last night, I read multiple posts about Glyco rod bearings now being of, shall we say: less-than stellar quality. We've all experienced this in every facet of our lives as the self-congratulatory chiefs of international corporations trade product quality for a few extra feet of yacht-length.

Anyway, I've been purchasing parts slowly over the years for my 3.2 rebuild. I purchased Glyco bearings for Rods, Mains and IMS pre-covid, probably 2018 or 2019. I already put the rod bearings in and I do not think I kept the box, so I can't tell what their country of origin is. Since it appears I'll be sending my rods back to the machine shop, I'm now re-thinking (overthinking?) my rod bearings.

Should I just toss these and purchase a set of Clevite rod bearings? It sounds like the rod bearings are the most stressed bearings on the 3.2, and I'm actually replacing my P&C with Mahle 3.4s so, even a little more stress. I do not *plan* on tracking this 911, I have a Cayman for the track, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Sanity check please?

[PeteKz]

I do not change main or rod bearings unless they show wear or measure out of tolerance. Journal bearings are not "wear items." If you have sufficient oil supply, without contaminants, the bearings always float on a layer of oil and do not touch, except when stopped and sitting long enough for the oil film to slowly seep out of the bearing (days , weeks, or longer).

If they look good, then use Plastigage to check the clearance, or measure them. If they are within tolerance keep running them. They have proved they are good in actual service, and you would invite new possible problems by changing them.

[Jeff Alton]

^^^^ you don't change them when you do a rebuild, if they "look ok" Is this on personal engines or ones you are building for clients?

[Richey]

I'm with Pete , if the bearings look good and measure to specs I much prefer these tested
bearings over the South African Glyco bearings , or buy Cleavite bearings .

[PeteKz]

Jeff, you ignored part of the qualification language. They must look good AND measure within tolerances. Sometimes they will measure within tolerances, but the surfaces are scuffed. If so, change them (but also make damn sure you find out why they were starved for oil or got contaminated in the first place).

I don't build engines for customers. You do. So do what makes you comfortable.

[mskar]

I checked while at my shop yesterday, the manufacturing dates on my rod bearings are 2021 (not pre-pandemic like I thought). The Main bearings are still in the box ("Made in Poland" sticker) and I bought them around the same time as the rod bearings I think.

Funny, when I posted this I was wondering just how bad manufacturers' quality would have to become before people were like "eh, better off using the 40 year old bearings with 150k on them then buying new ones".

I'm not comfortable reusing bearings, this is my first (and hopefully only) 911 engine rebuild. My measurement tools are $50 tools, not $500 tools, and a glaring (to an experienced builder) problem could easily escape my inexperienced eye. I will purchase a set of Clevite rod bearings, this seems to be my current weak link.

Any warnings or endorsements of the Polish Glyco mains? I plan on using the Glyco IMS bearings as well unless warned off.

[chucksmith]

I am building a 993 and want to increase my chances of getting a quality outcome. I researched the bearings a good bit and came to the conclusion that although many excellent builders use Glyco bearings with success, coated Clevite bearings were worth the premium in price for me.

[mikedsilva]

Originally Posted by mskar

Last night, I posted on PP for the first time in like 15 years, here i am posting again... look at me go...

Last night, I read multiple posts about Glyco rod bearings now being of, shall we say: less-than stellar quality. We've all experienced this in every facet of our lives as the self-congratulatory chiefs of international corporations trade product quality for a few extra feet of yacht-length.

Anyway, I've been purchasing parts slowly over the years for my 3.2 rebuild. I purchased Glyco bearings for Rods, Mains and IMS pre-covid, probably 2018 or 2019. I already put the rod bearings in and I do not think I kept the box, so I can't tell what their country of origin is. Since it appears I'll be sending my rods back to the machine shop, I'm now re-thinking (overthinking?) my rod bearings.

Should I just toss these and purchase a set of Clevite rod bearings? It sounds like the rod bearings are the most stressed bearings on the 3.2, and I'm actually replacing my P&C with Mahle 3.4s so, even a little more stress. I do not *plan* on tracking this 911, I have a Cayman for the track, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility.

Sanity check please?

ACL also manufacture bearings for these engines (rods, not mains).
Worth a look.

[PeteKz]

mskar: The rod bearings are not the weak point. The rod bolts are the weak point, but only if you push the RPM too high. Since you are using the ARP bolts, you are doing as much as you can, short of changing to titanium rods.

Do what makes you comfortable.

[mskar]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I ordered the Clevite bearings, as Chuck put it above, I'm just trying to increase my chances of success