With the main cap bolt holes clear of machining debris,
we installed ARP studs just a pinch more than finger tight. |
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The main saddles were wiped clean with brake cleaner and
lint-free towels. |
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Here we are installing the "block-side" Clevite
77 main bearings. The "block-side" main bearing
halves incorporate an oiling groove. The grooved thrust
bearing goes on journal number three. |
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We used lithium based Comp
Cams Engine Assembly Lube to coat the main bearings
once they were installed. |
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Once wiped down, the crank was ready ride the saddles. |
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The crank was carefully set in place with caution to avoid
bumping a journal on a main stud. |
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After wiping down the main caps, we set the other half
of the main bearings into place. No oil or assembly lube
required here. |
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Now was the right time to check main bearing clearance,
therefore no assembly lube was applied to the crank side
of the bearing surfaces yet. |
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We used "Green" Plastigauge and set a length
across one of the main journals. "Green" Plastigauge
is for measurements between 0.001" and 0.003"
inch - typical engine bearing clearances. |
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We proceeded to install all five main caps. The thrust
main bearing and cap goes on journal number three. |
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ARP hardware requires the use of the included ARP moly.
We applied some to the threads of each stud. |
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The caps were installed in an alternating sequence to
90 ft lbs. Once torqued down, the main caps were ready
for removal. |
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Don't use a torque wrench to remove anything. Here, we're
using a long breaker bar to break the nuts free of the
main studs. |
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Some light upward tapping with a hammer helps dislodge
the main caps. |
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We carefully lift the main cap to expose the journal where
the Plastigauge was applied. |
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The Plastigauge indicated a main bearing to crankshaft
clearance of between .0015" and .002". The allowable
range for the Ford 400 is .0009" and .0026".
Success! |
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With the main bearing clearance confirmed as allowable,
we wiped the main bearings and caps clean, reinstalled
them and applied some assembly lube the "crank-side"
surfaces. |
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The main caps were then reinstalled and torqued once again.
To reemphasize, this was not our final installation of
the crankshaft for this build. |
