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Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:22 pm

I have read a few places that the bearings are coated in a protective coating. Is this true? I received a special bearing with my crank and it is shiny. I have seen the bearings when new and they weren't. I was thinking maybe 0000 steel wool and oil.

Wed Jan 28, 2015 6:31 am

Possible lite oil but never heard of such. Stay away from the steel wool idea, if in doubt plastiguage the brngs to check clearances, if good rub eng oil on each one with your finger & assemble.

Wed Jan 28, 2015 6:48 am

Never heard of special coating... But one builder I know sort of breaks the sheen of bearing surface with light rub of 1500 carborundum paper, wipes clean and applies assembly grease...

Dale

Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:31 am

jason wrote: I have read a few places that the bearings are coated in a protective coating. Is this true? I received a special bearing with my crank and it is shiny. I have seen the bearings when new and they weren't. I was thinking maybe 0000 steel wool and oil.

I always just rub the bearing surface with a clean rag and apply oil. This is mostly just to make sure I can't feel any imperfections in the bearing surface.

Wed Jan 28, 2015 9:22 am

I've always just oiled them to but I just read something that said the dull coating is for shipping protection.

Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:32 am

just oil&install. yes some come with flash coatings, just oil&install.some are so nasty looking you think something is rong, just oil&install. never sand a bearing if you dont know what your doing., just 1 spec of that sand paper that you cant see embeading into the bearing will distroy the crank&engine. some bearings are resizeable.If you have the correct equipment to do so.

Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:01 pm

You mean this?

http://www.calicocoatings.com/coating-data-sheets/ct-1-dry-film-lubricant/

Wed Jan 28, 2015 3:40 pm

I think he means this:

From Vince's Build thread

WD40 and a scotchbrite pad

In my opinion the light coating is just for shipping... :lol:

Wed Jan 28, 2015 4:26 pm

some bearings have a flash coating for breaking pourposes so the bearing does not gauld befor it gets oil pressure,some bearings are dfl coated that is a totaly different thing that wnat you have those are exspensive!! I use dfl bearings on all my stuff.
some bearings have a flash coating so they do not crode in the box on the shelf(hp series bearings like like that have shit wiped across them) you do not need to do any thing but wipe clean any dust and install.I have never seen any crank bearings that need to be sanded or scotch brighted or bisquick.. just install them. if there is any questions just check the manufactures site or litature.

Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:59 pm

If a bearing has a bright flash plating you might want to work that, as a bright surface won't want to hold oil. Like how water beads up on a polished surface. None of these VW bearings look bright at all to me. I have used scotchbrite to help remove junk embedded in old aluminum bearings so I can re-use them, don't like to do it but sometimes the old measure better than the new in which case......use the old!
If you try to do a tri-metal bearing use very LIGHT pressure and do it wet. It is very soft metal (mostly lead)

Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:58 pm

so the race bearings that have no flash coating and are fresh machined wont work? if it repels oil it has been sprayed with a dispersant like wd40 witch will kill a bearing.just washe them and assemble. ive assembled plenty of 1000+hp engines with the shitest bearings you have ever seen.no issues. if the bearings have cosmoline you need to clean them, just use laquerthinner or acetone.do not sand on bearings, do not scotch bright bearings. 20 years back I think it was gm that put out a tsb on scotch bright&varaitions of it. if a tech had it in thier box fire them is roughly what it said.it had cost gm a lot of $$$ in dead engines.

Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:06 pm

As Mark said, the dull coating holds oil and or assembly lube better to prevent galling. I believe it is a tin flash coating. This only applies to the steel backed bearings. The aluminum bearings are raw or have a different coating depending on manufacturer.

Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:14 pm

miniman82 wrote: You mean this?

http://www.calicocoatings.com/coating-data-sheets/ct-1-dry-film-lubricant/

Do those dry film lubricants work?

Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:42 pm

Juanito84 wrote: miniman82 wrote: You mean this?

http://www.calicocoatings.com/coating-data-sheets/ct-1-dry-film-lubricant/

Do those dry film lubricants work?

Yes. DFL coatings are used in high end race cars on a lot more then just bearings. Probably not worth the cost on a simple street engine.

Mon Feb 02, 2015 11:03 pm

I stand corrected. The tin plating is mainly for corrosion protection in storage. Check out this report from Mahle-Clevite

http://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/c125790900540ac0/...tb2077.pdf

Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:22 am

I think all engines bennifit from dfl coated bearings,not just race engines.and bearings arn not the only things coated.springs,rockers,bushes,gears,pistons,intake ports,over ceramics in ex ports,backs of intake valves,lashcaps,camshafts,piston pins etc.Ill probably be doing my lifer bores on my 2393.