Olds 455. Are my main's too tight?

[Flip]

So, I'm assembling my 455 today. I dropped my crank in with the plastigauge and here's what I got:
#1 .0018
#2 .0015
#3 .0008
#4 .0013
#5 .0015
Now, factory spec (book) says tolerances ran between .0005-.0021. Buuuut, the all mighty internet is telling me only between .0018-.0023. I've already trashed my 350 because it was on the (right at) tight side of the FACTORY specs.
Whatchu guys think? What tolerances does your info say?

[DeputyDawg]

I am not an Olds guy but if factory automotive specs are .0005-.0021" or even .0018-.0023" then I would say your clearances are definitely too tight for marine use.

[Heatseeker]

Seems tight to me. But don't trust plastigage!!! Find someone with a set of inside and outside mics to help you out. Even snap gauges and an outside mic are more accurate than plasigage. You might be surprised at the difference between the readings.
When I built my current BBC, I was advised by the crank mfg.(Callie's) to stay to the looser side of tolerance.

[obnoxious001]

So, I'm assembling my 455 today. I dropped my crank in with the plastigauge and here's what I got:
#1 .0018
#2 .0015
#3 .0008
#4 .0013
#5 .0015
Now, factory spec (book) says tolerances ran between .0005-.0021. Buuuut, the all mighty internet is telling me only between .0018-.0023. I've already trashed my 350 because it was on the (right at) tight side of the FACTORY specs.
Whatchu guys think? What tolerances does your info say?
.0008" seems too tight for any application, but more than that, what if the crank and/or bearing journal is out of round? Won't take much before you have zero clearance. Better get the thing measured correctly. If you don't have a connection, I may be able to help out,, at the top of the 57 freeway in Glendora.
agt001@aol.com

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Yes, I think you are too tight, especially #3. Might all be OK in a car but not for hard marine use IMO (and ALL marine use is hard). There's another thread from a guy who wiped out his 454's bearings just after a rebuild, and from the chatter & questioning, seems like they may have been set up too close to minimums as well. He's out the crank too, made at least one 1/8" grove arround a journal from all the crap flowing in the oil once it started eating itself. :2purples:

[malcolm]

I won't bag on you for using plastigauge, I've had good luck with it over the years. On any marine engine you're going to want at least .002 and probably closer to .003. Was your crank ground somewhere? If so, they need to know this is going in a boat so they can grind a little more off it.

[Sleek-Jet]

I agree with Malcom on the clearances, though I don't trust Plasti-gauge. I bought a set of mics and learned how to use them. :hammerhea :D
Flip, do yourself a favor and get a copy of Mondello's book. It's worth the price and is full of usefull information about Olds V8's.

[malcolm]

Mondo's book is OK for info now and then, but get a second opinion if you call him for parts.
realoldspower.com

[Sleek-Jet]

Mondo's book is OK for info now and then, but get a second opinion if you call him for parts.
realoldspower.com
Yeah, I forgot the caveat about not buying parts from them... :D

[rerfert]

[QUOTE=Sleek-Jet]I agree with Malcom on the clearances, though I don't trust Plasti-gauge. I bought a set of mics and learned how to use them. :hammerhea :D QUOTE]
I too bought a good set of inside and outside mics...spent some good coin on them too...BUT(well worth the money now) I can't count on one hand the wrong or not clearanced right machine work I have caught before assembly and saved hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the $500 investment in needed tools.
Beg borrow or buy/rent the tools and use the plasti-guage for a back up reading.
Check the crank with the right (more precise tools) and if need be polish the journals a bit to get the clearances you need.

[mj680]

,003 to .004 clearance on mains should be ok with 20/50 castrol.
If you call DR MONDELLO,You don't need a second opinion. :lightsabe :supp: :supp:

[malcolm]

The problem is you won't get him on the phone.

[Moneypitt]

I agree the existing #s are to tight. However, IMO, 3-4 is abit much for an olds' inherent oiling problems. 2 -3 is just loose enough to like it, but not alot of oil needed to keep the film alive in the bearings. Mondello stuff was really researched with the oldsmobiles as prime target. His products have been precise, expensive, but right on, for decades. Before you jump me with all the "other" developers of Olds stuff, I'm just saying I remember when there was no where else to go. I seem to remember a little tiny shack at the corner of Pico Bl. and Military Ave. in west LA. Anyone else remember that? I think it was Joe in the earlier days, but I could be wrong........MP
PS if you polish off that much material you will loose the crank at that bearing size. Ginding enough to get what you want also is tough because the grinder kinda has to sneak up on a number, so you MAY want to just have it cut to your undersize # and buy bearings of an compatable size

[mj680]

Send the crank to Henry Velasco in Downey,Ca (562) 862-3110.
He has done Mondello cranks since the early 1970's.He will give you
the correct clearance ,so you can run standard size bearings. :cool:
Also get a Mondello oil system.HD Oil pump,cam oil restrictors,10 quart oil pan.
and run 20/50 oil.And a oil cooler if you want to spend the money.Its cheap insurance. :cool: :cool:

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you run that crank you will granade it! Olds need to be .0025-.0035 on the mains and .0025-.003 on the rods. Make sure you have good side clearance!

[mj680]

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you run that crank you will granade it! Olds need to be .0025-.0035 on the mains and .0025-.003 on the rods. Make sure you have good side clearance!
Aren't you The guy that knows something about that stolen dragboat in Chandler,AZ.Please refresh my memory? :confused: :confused: :confused

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Aren't you The guy that knows something about that stolen dragboat in Chandler,AZ.Please refresh my memory?
Sure!! Whatcha wanna know and why??? What does that have to do with 455 olds oiling clearance????????????????????????????????????????? ????:confused::confused::confused::confused::confu sed::confused::confused::confused:

[mj680]

Sure!! Whatcha wanna know and why??? What does that have to do with 455 olds oiling clearance????????????????????????????????????????? ????:confused::confused::confused::confused::confu sed::confused::confused::confused:
JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THE REAL OWNER GOT IT BACK ? :D :D :D

[bp]

talked to greg in marble falls, and yes he does have it back.

[1975sleekcraft]

www.mondello.com-ph#(805)237-8808- call i've never had a problem-
there is a lot you have to do to keep that lower end together.u need oil restrictors(under the mains) you need to to channel 1/4 inch wide by 003 thousandths deep notches in your connecting rods on the oil clearance sides.one on the top and one on the bottom(both sides)-arp rod bolts-10 qt oil pan-oil cooler-and oh ya you need to cross drill 2-3-4 journals on the crank and of course a high volume pump.----i just wanted you to know you might have known already.----take it or leave it----

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THE REAL OWNER GOT IT BACK ? :D :D :D
why????? are you writing a book???????? :eat:

[1975sleekcraft]

goto "search" type in "455 guys engine buildup".this guy has all the --specs-- listed.he did everything I did plus more!!!!check it out It's sweet!!!!

[myoung]

Hello, new guy here.
I'm helping Flip with the assembly on his 455 at my shop and I was wondering if anybody could elaborate on the notching of the rods. Any pictures? Is this something I would do on my mill or just eyeball grind something? .003 sounds like a mill thing to me so I just want to know where exactly I'd be notching the rods.
The crank has been reground and we'll be assembling this weekend. We're trying to get together any other info we can find on parts that need machining before it goes together.
Thanks guys.

[Flip]

What up Mike! Welcome to the fray. :2purples:

[myoung]

What up yo!
Trying to get a little info for tomorrow. Second time I saw the rod notching mentioned so we might want to do that as well before assembly. Just need to know what we're doing so we don't screw anything up. :hammer2:
BTW; saw a v-drive cruiser in the recyler dirt cheap, I'm telling ya, if I ever start makin some real money I'm gonna have to work on momma to get a boat. The more I see the more I want. :D :idea:
Ahhh............pipedreams, gotta love 'em. :rolleyes:

[malcolm]

The rod notching is a Mondello trick to let more oil flow out of the rods, thus keeping the oil moving so it doesnt get so hot in there. Yes you would do it in a mill. I'll look and see if I can find a pic for you.

[malcolm]

Ok, here ya go guys. Read up, the rod notching thing is explained also.
tech article (http://www.mondellotwister.com/Art455OldsTG.htm)

[myoung]

Thanks, that's just what I'm looking for.

[Flip]

BTW; saw a v-drive cruiser in the recyler dirt cheap, I'm telling ya, if I ever start makin some real money I'm gonna have to work on momma to get a boat. The more I see the more I want. :D :idea:
Ahhh............pipedreams, gotta love 'em. :rolleyes:
I'll just keep showing you boats then :D
V-Drives = MONEY ;) Lets see how much trouble that comment get me into :jawdrop: :eat: