Once upon a time special thick bearings were available to install an early small journal crank (such as 283 or 327) into a big journal block (350).
Does anyone know if these extra thick special bearings are still made? If so, from who?

I have the full spacer bearing in my 331. You can also buy spacers and use a normal bearing. Never had an issue with either set up.
I think my thick bearings were from Federal Mogul.

Once upon a time special thick bearings were available to install an early small journal crank (such as 283 or 327) into a big journal block (350).
Does anyone know if these extra thick special bearings are still made? If so, from who?

Yea they still make those bearings and the rear main uses a spacer still.

Good to see you Tom.

see this page (http://www.cvproducts.com/cv/products/specItem.aspx?prodID=982&genCat=123) Clyde Vickers shop.

Things aren't cheap anymore. be aware that there's actually three numbers listed, CV doesn't mention them all. there's MS1110H, MS1110H-1 and MS1110H-X. I don't know the difference between H and H-1, but H-X gives an extra thou or so clearance.


This outfit has all three, but wants $40 more per set. see: this link (http://www.centralhp.com/searchresults.php?chose=Category&searchstring=O04&maincat=Bearings&subcat=Main%20Bearings-Performance)

The 'H' suffix means standard clearance, with standard size journals; 'H-1' has .001" less clearance and is usually used when the crank is polished to a specific size (limit).

OK, Here is what I found out today. Clevite still makes the THICK bearings to install a small journal crank (283-327) into a large journal block (350).
SIT YOURSELF DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My cost at the local NAPA store is about $200!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://forums.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/ack2.gif And they are NOT stocked, they have to be ordered (would take about 4-5 days). It is VERY possible that they would be cheaper through the discount mail order places such as Summit, a person would just have to call them and see.
The Clevite part number for a set of these bearings is MS1110H. They are ONLY available in standard, .001 and .010 undersize. So, if a person had a crank that is, or has to be, turned more than .010 undersize, you're out of luck!!!
The phone for Clevite (if you want to call and verify first) is 800-223-9152.

For that much you can buy a large journal steel 327 crank from a machine shop. i paid $150 for my last large journal 327 steel crank.

The problem I had with the thick bearings was that they were fully grooved (back in the olden days). I don't know if they stil are. The spacers were about $180, I'd rather have those and use any bearings I want.

The current production MS-1110H bearings are not fully grooved. I wasn't aware that these items had been offered as full grooved in the past, but anything is possible. Since these are not high-volume sales runners (they could have been sitting on a shelf for a long-long time), a potential buyer might want to check the bearings before the sale is completed to make sure that the lower shells are not grooved.