Best Rods & Main Bearings for Engine Kits of 2025
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Rods and main bearings are essential components of any engine rebuild. These parts ensure that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Engine kits often include these components, which are designed to withstand high temperatures and heavy loads. The rods connect the pistons to the crankshaft, while the main bearings support the crankshaft and help it rotate smoothly. Choosing high-quality rods and main bearings is crucial for the longevity and performance of the engine. Whether you're rebuilding a classic car or upgrading your race car, investing in quality rods and main bearings is a smart choice.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Rods & Main Bearings for Engine Kits
Guardian Engine Kits for Chevy 400 SB
Guardian Engine Kits for Chevy 400 SB offers compatibility with 1970-1980 SB Chevy 400 engines with standard size crank journals. The kit includes Clevite or DuraBond cam bearings, ensuring smooth operation. The standard size crank journals make installation hassle-free. The compatibility with 1970-1980 SB Chevy 400 engines ensures a perfect fit. The cam bearings included in the kit provide durability and reliability, giving you peace of mind.
Clevite Rod & Main Bearing Kit
The Clevite Bearing Kit is designed for Chevrolet small block engines from 1967 to 2002, specifically for those with .020" under size crankshaft journals. This kit is compatible with V-8 engines, ensuring a perfect fit for your vehicle. You will benefit from either Clevite or Durabond cam bearings, depending on availability, giving you flexibility in your choice. Whether you're building a new engine or replacing old bearings, this kit provides the reliability and performance you need for a smooth-running engine.
Mahle/Clevite Rod and Main Bearing Kit
The Mahle/Clevite Rod and Main Bearing Kit is designed to fit 4.8 5.3 6.0 LS Engines and includes the Clevite A series CB663A(8) and Clevite A series MS2199A. This kit is a top-quality solution for engine connecting rod bearings that ensures a perfect fit for your vehicle.
Clevite 77 A Series Bearing Kit
The Clevite Bearing Kit is designed for compatibility with various Chevy small block engines, including the 305, 307, 327, 350, and 383 models from 1967 to 2002. This kit features undersized bearings that cater to +.010 crankshaft journals, ensuring a precise fit for your engine. By using this kit, you can enhance your engine's performance and reliability, making it a great choice for rebuilds. Its compatibility with LT1 and LT4 engines also expands its usability, providing convenience for those working on different engine types.
ENGINETECH Bearings Kit for LS Engines
The ENGINETECH LS Bearings Kit is expertly assembled to provide you with high-quality components for your engine. This kit includes standard size main bearings, rod bearings, and cam bearings, ensuring compatibility with 2004-2009 Chevrolet and GMC LS engines. Each part is crafted with performance in mind, allowing you to enhance your engine's efficiency. With a lifetime warranty when installed by a certified machinist, you can have peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected. This kit is designed to meet high-performance specifications, making it a reliable choice for any enthusiast.
Clevite A Series Bearing Kit
The Clevite A Bearing Kit is designed for Chevy small block engines, including models from 305 to 383, made up to 2002. This kit is perfect for those with standard-size crankshaft journals, ensuring a proper fit and performance. By choosing this product, you can enhance the reliability of your engine, as it is compatible with various Chevy models, making it a versatile option for your repair or upgrade needs. With this kit, you can expect improved engine efficiency and longevity, giving you peace of mind on the road.
King Engine Bearing Rod, Main & Thrust bearing Kit for Toyota 22RE 22REC 22RTEC 2.4 2.4L
The King Engine Bearing Kit for Toyota 22RE is a high-quality replacement set designed for 1985-1995 Toyota 22RE 22REC 22RTEC cars and trucks. This kit includes rod, main, and thrust bearings, ensuring a complete and reliable solution for your engine. With the option of over-sized bearings, you can easily find the perfect fit for your specific needs. The King Engine Bearing Kit provides exceptional durability and performance, allowing your engine to run smoothly and efficiently. Whether you are repairing or rebuilding your engine, this kit offers the convenience and reliability you need to get the job done right.
IE PARTS GROUP Rod and Main Bearings
The IE PARTS GROUP Bearings are designed specifically for the 1967-95 Chevy SBC 350 5.7 L engines. They do not fit Vortec engine pistons with metric ring lands, ensuring compatibility with the right models. The rings come with thicknesses of 5/64", 5/64", and 3/16", which provides a reliable seal and enhances engine performance. Additionally, over sizes are available, allowing you to select the best fit for your engine needs. This product ensures you can maintain your vehicle's performance and reliability with ease.
King Bearings Kit for Ford 302
The King Bearings Kit is specifically designed for Ford 302, 5.0L, and 289 engines, ensuring a perfect fit. Before making your purchase, it’s important to select the correct oversize needed, which helps you avoid any compatibility issues. This kit is ideal for cranks that have been turned .010 inches under size, making it a great choice for those who need precise specifications for their engine rebuild. By choosing this set, you can ensure that your engine runs smoothly and efficiently, giving you peace of mind during your restoration project.
CLEVITE A .010 Bearing Kit
The CLEVITE A Bearing Kit is designed for crankshafts that have been turned .010 under size, making it an ideal choice for your engine rebuild. It is compatible with a range of small block V-8 engines, including models from 265 to 350, ensuring versatility for various builds. However, it is not suitable for LS series engines, so be sure to check compatibility. This kit provides essential support for your engine's performance, helping you maintain optimal operation and longevity. With this bearing kit, you can enhance your engine's reliability and efficiency, making your rebuild process smoother.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know what size rod bearings I need?
To determine the size of rod bearings you need, it is recommended to have approximately 0.001-inch of bearing clearance for every inch of journal diameter. For example, a 2.100-inch rod journal would require a bearing clearance of around 0.0021 or 0.0022. This ensures proper fit and functionality for your engine.
2. How much does it cost to replace main rod bearings?
The cost of replacing main rod bearings can vary widely, ranging from $10 to $5,000. The actual cost depends on factors such as whether you have it done by a mechanic or choose to do it yourself, as well as the specific make and model of your vehicle.
3. What size are engine main bearings?
Engine main bearings are typically available in standard size and undersizes such as .010", .020", and .030". These undersizes are used for passenger car and light truck engines to accommodate different machining or line boring requirements.
4. What is the difference between oversize and undersized rod bearings?
Undersized rod bearings are used when a crankshaft has been machined or ground to a smaller size. Oversize rod bearings, on the other hand, have more material on the outside facing the bearing housing bore. They are used when the engine block has been machined or line bored to a larger size.
5. Can you mix rod bearing sizes?
When it comes to mixing rod bearing sizes, it is generally not recommended. If you need to select different sizes, ensure that the difference in wall size is not more than .0005". Additionally, install the thickest wall shell in the upper position for rod bearings or the lower position for main bearings.
6. Will new rod bearings fix rod knock?
Replacing the rod bearings is a solution to fix rod knock. However, it is important to note that if the rod has caused damage to the crank journal surface, the crankshaft will also need to be polished and possibly turned as part of an engine rebuild.
7. What is the life expectancy of a rod bearing?
The original rod bearings should be replaced every 60-80,000 miles, especially if the vehicle follows a maintenance schedule that includes 15,000-mile oil changes. Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity and performance of the engine.
8. What is the best bearing for high loads?
Cylindrical roller bearings are ideal for high load applications. They use cylindrical rollers as rolling elements and can support even greater radial loads compared to deep groove ball bearings. These bearings are commonly used in machinery where strong impacts are expected.
9. What type of bearing is best for high speed?
For high-speed applications, ball bearings are typically recommended for small-to-medium-sized loads. On the other hand, roller bearings are better suited for heavy load applications. The choice between ball bearings and roller bearings depends on the rotational speed and load requirements of the specific application.
10. Can you replace main bearings without pulling the motor?
While it is technically possible to replace main bearings without pulling the motor, it is not recommended. If the bearings are worn enough to require replacement, it is likely that the crankshaft journals will also be worn. To accurately measure the journals and ensure a proper replacement, it is best to remove the crankshaft. Otherwise, the job may not be completed effectively.
During our rods & main bearing for engine kits research, we found 24 rods & main bearing for engine kits products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,554 customer reviews through our big data system to write the rods & main bearings for engine kits list. We found that most customers choose rods & main bearings for engine kits with an average price of $72.53.
The rods & main bearings for engine kits are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of rods & main bearings for engine kits, including Guardian Engine Kits, Clevite 77, TUKIMA, REDLINE ENGINE SUPPLY, J MARTIN AUTO. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 79 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.