Strengthening against crankwalk??

[MooreDSM]

What do you guys think of this?? Thoughts or comments.

Don't know if this has already been discussed before or not. The bearing cap on Mitsubishi 4G63 motors is held on by studs or bolts that penetrate through holes in the bearing cap. Those holes are machined larger than the bolt/stud diameter, and that can allow the bearing cap to shift under pressure. This shifting is a POSSIBLE explanation for the premature thrust bearing failure (or "crank walk") seen on some late-model 4G63 motors.

The Main Bearing Cap Alignment Dowel kit from Concept Racing tightens up those holes with precision-machined steel inserts. The kit is designed to be used with ARP studs when you are re-assembling the engine. The inserts are inserted into the bearing cap, then the studs then fit through the inserts, into the block. The result is a nice tight fit, with the bearing cap aligned and centered correctly, with no chance of it shifting around under lateral loads.

[hoffman]

i think almost everyone here will say this i'll get it out of the way first.

there are a thousand different theories as to why 4G63s are prone to crankwalk.

if you get it, too bad, get a rebuild. if you don't, your lucky. but noone can escape it. even 6-bolts have been known to get crankwalk. IMO, don't waste your timing worrying about it and espeacially don't waste your money on any "anti-crankwalk" kits.

my $.03

[Hal]

The best thing you can do for crank walk is to disable the clutch interlock so you can start the car with the clutch pedal up.

The alignment kit is, IMO, snake oil.

If you've ever had the girdle off the car, you'll it's a very tight machine fit and the girdle doesn't effect the thrust alignment (on later model 2g's) because the thrust bearing is 4 pieces instead of 2.

Finally, even with two piece bearings, if the girdle moves, it's only going to move as far as the crank will push it, and that is limited by the thrust surface control by the block saddle.

Hal

[MooreDSM]

Disabling the clutch interlock doesn't effect the way the car shifts??

[hoffman]

its just a signal switch.