Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

I have a rear main oil leak. My bearing does not have any oil grove or groves . I noticed that in other posts there are several different ways to grove the bearing surface. Is it necessary to have the grove? I also noticed some have a hole in the bottom of the bearing. Is the hole necessary? Is there a good way to put a grove in this late in the game? Anyone have a good photo of the correct way? Thanks for your input. Norm

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

YES. The groove is to spread oil across the bearing. The hole is an old "farmer fix" that is not necessary if the grooves and wells are present and the bearing is clearanced correctly. If the groove is not in the cap, I would venture a guess that the block does not have them either so, cutting the groove and wells in the cap will be pointless without doing the block also. Here is a picture of a cap that is grooved correctly with the wells.

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it! Norm

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

These were done by Bill Barlow. Work of art.

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

I sure wish mine looked like that. I need to figure out how to post photos. I just haven't talked the time to follow the steps. Thanks for the photos!

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

Bill Barlow's work is the best, all others step aside. I have three bearing sets done by him.

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

I've seen Herm's work, and he's also top notch.:)
I think Herm wrote the book on babbit.

Re: Groves in rear main bearing cap
 

Bill is close to me (relatively, at four hours), and can turn a babbitt job in a day if you give him warning. Top notch guy.