Fitting Crankshaft

[Parker]

Hi
Refitting my reground crankshaft with new bearings and finding that the centre bearing (with the side wings) is so tight that the counterbalance of the crank is shaving the white metal from the sides of the bearing. The crank is so tight from the friction that it is almost impossible to turn over. Is this normal and will it free up once the engine turns over? The only way I can turn the engine over is by putting on the flywheel and using a screw driver levering from the locating pin into the flywheel teeth. I have loosened the centre bearing cap and the motor turns more freely as the friction is reduced, so the issue is the centre bearing sides.

[5988]

Nope, that's snot right
If its just the crank in it should spin pretty free, a little more effort needed once its got a set of pistons
Sounds like the bearing, it shouldn't be touching the crank webs.
Are they a decent brand the bearings? Are they forth the right engine ? Not sure if the bottom end ever changed

[disco2hse]

Dare I ask, does the crank provide the same level of resistance throughout the full 360º of the revolution?

Otherwise, what 5988 said.

[Parker]

The bearings are AE Mogul brand from Belgium. I bought them from a Land Rover specialist part number RTC171810G. The crank was ground to 10 thou under so the bearings are 10 thou over. It spins freely if I remove the centre bearing as the only contact is on the web of the crank with the side of the centre bearing.

[Parker]

Well, I have sorted the problem with the crank bearings. Took it to my engine builder today and he said it is common for the "wings" on the centre bearing to be oversize as with older engines the crank wears on the web where the thrust has been taking place so they make the sides oversize. He will take a little white metal off and all is fixed. Thanks for those who responded to my dilemma.