Hey folks Ive got a new crankshaft for my 1977 302 engine, I went the with regular 3.000 in stock eagle crank and I reused my rods and pistons on this quick cheap refresh due to having ring ledge and the crank was smoked so I went and picked up that one, and I wanted to get by with putting rod bearings/main bearings in and I checked my clearance with platicgauge everything was fine but the moment i even remotley tighten the rod bearings it acts like it siezes up, Ive got to have the car running and driving asap could my motor just be so run out of wack?
Is there enough side clearance with rods? Otherwise, the journals are too large or bearings too small.
"Usually" aftermarket cranks (Eagle, Scat,etc.) have to be sized by a machine shop to get the correct clearances in your engine. Eagles were especially known for needing work in the fillet and thrust areas of the journals. You need to check all journals twice, 90* apart to make sure they're round, with no oil and being careful not to scratch the bearings. After checking with the plastigage did you put oil or assembly lube on the journals?
The pontiac cranks were known to have a rough surface finish on thrust that would chew up bearings too. Check everything.
