Rod Bearing Controversy

[BGCarrera32]

On the back of the Glycos are what appear to be date codes. Nobody has provided any detailed lot or manufacturing date info in any of these threads that I've seen.

I have 2 sets of 3.2 rod bearings, both Glycos. 1 set I just took out of an engine to change configurations, and a new set of Glycos waiting to go in. Replacing bearings as good measure.

The set that came out of my engine is stamped 04-08 on the back of each bearing.
The new set is stamped 10-12.

We could surmise these are month and year...Walt Fricke, what are yours stamped? Flip the thing over and tell us.

I can say that my 04-08 and the 10-12 set have different sized stamping numbers, and slightly different relief stampings to orient the bearing to the rod. So they clearly did not come off the same manufacturing equipment, but that means next to nothing. Happens all the time.

We need concrete date code and country of origin data to start pinning it down. Otherwise you guys may be chasing a problem with bearings manufactured 2 years ago that have sat in inventory. Who knows.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by VFR750

Timely. I'm going to need a set of good rod bearings this winter.

With luck, I'll have something for you.

[tom1394racing]

Originally Posted by VFR750

Timely. I'm going to need a set of good rod bearings this winter.

Mike

I have been told that the 3.0 rod bearings still have acceptable quality.

[GT2BH]

Originally Posted by tom1394racing

Mike

I have been told that the 3.0 rod bearings still have acceptable quality.

Hope you're right! I'll give it another week and place my order.. fingers crossed

[E Sully]

Has anyone contacted Federal-Mogul Glyco about this? I looked up their web site and they have a complaint site. Federal-Mogul

[wndsnd]

The 2.7 std Glyco's are $59.00

The Clevites are now $460 or a little less.

I am going to try my dealer tomorrow. I might get lucky.

John

[tharbert]

Originally Posted by Steve@Rennsport

With luck, I'll have something for you.

Keep us posted, Steve. I have a set of Glycol's Molycoted and ready for install. Got them from Pelican last year. After all this, I'm not too keen to install.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by tharbert

Keep us posted, Steve. I have a set of Glycol's Molycoted and ready for install. Got them from Pelican last year. After all this, I'm not too keen to install.

I sure will.

When I have them in hand, I'll post it on my website and in my forums.

[Walt Fricke]

Mine have the Glyco symbol, and STD, and below that 71-2349 on one end. On the other, 5024 and 1796B. Those don't look like simple date codes.

[stownsen914]

Originally Posted by wndsnd

The 2.7 std Glyco's are $59.00

The Clevites are now $460 or a little less.

I am going to try my dealer tomorrow. I might get lucky.

John

What's the deal with Clevites? Are they considered good bearings? And why so much more I wonder?

[JFairman]

I got a thick folder of work order receipts with my '87 930 when I bought it in July 2006.
One of them is for a top end and transmission rebuild dated 3-20-2000 when the car had 99,018 miles on it. New rod bearings are in the list of parts replaced.

When I rebuilt the top end last May the car had 129,592 miles on it. I replaced the rod bearings and saved the ones I took out.

I just took this pic of the numbers on the opposite ends of two of the ones I took out. The one on the right says 07-99 so if that is a date code it makes sense.

[crummasel]

Originally Posted by crummasel

Guys, do you know what happens if you source the bearings directly at Porsche?
What do we get?

Coming back to that point: Has anyone tried the quality Porsche provides actually?

[E Sully]

Like any other situation, I feel it is important to get both sides before labeling something as NG.
In regard to my previous post, I sent in a request for information and thread links to Federal-Mogul Glyco. They received my request and called me this morning. They told me Glyco is handled by the European branch, and it is being forwarded to them to analyze. One comment that the representative made was that they don't approve of coatings being applied, but when I get further information, I will Post it.

[wndsnd]

Are there others reporting Glyco rod bearing failures?

Does not seem to be wide spread.

John

[ertech]

Got a rod knock with new glyco bearings 200 mi on the engine this weekend
Will take it apart and let you know
Steve please pm me your contact
Thanks

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally Posted by ertech

Got a rod knock with new glyco bearings 200 mi on the engine this weekend
Will take it apart and let you know
Steve please pm me your contact
Thanks

Just look at my signature file below for everything you need.

[E Sully]

I received a response from a representative at Glyco today.

"Dear all,

Pictures on’ the thread links’ could be caused by fatigue. But this has to be checked by warranty where parts could be inspected if problem is due to material or ….

We never had any problems with bearings for Porsche applications.

Regards

Johan Doms"

So it is hard to say it is a problem with the Glyco bearings. It would seem no one has sent back their bearings under warrenty showing a defect in manufacture or material at this time.
Walt, ertech, or anyone else with problems, have you considered contacting Glyco?Federal-Mogul

[KTL]

Originally Posted by crummasel

Coming back to that point: Has anyone tried the quality Porsche provides actually?

The bearings you get from Porsche are Glyco bearings in a Porsche-labeled box. These bearings must go thru some sort of quality/measuring check because you can see marks on them from being measured. The check done on the bearings leaves a faint stripe across the width of the bearing

[crummasel]

Interesting, but that would not necessarily mean that the quality of the material is different, its just a geometrical checkup, correct?

[KTL]

You are correct. Bearing is same exact manufacturing process. Porsche just ensures the bearings they put in their own boxes are of the best measured quality that meets their standards.