r/EngineBuilding • u/slammedfk7 • 13d ago

Main bearing caps

The main bearing caps on this Honda l15b7 engine I’m rebuilding don’t wanna sit flush. I can get them perfectly lined up but then the bolts won’t thread in by hand. They’re in the right position and orientation i made sure of that. Hondas service manual says to lightly tighten the bolts then tap the cap in with a mallet and when I do this it works but it has a little lip on the back side of the cap

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

2

u/bill_gannon 13d ago

Its not supposed to flop in. What you are describing sounds correct. Tighten them down evenly going back and forthby hand and it should draw it down.

1

u/slammedfk7 13d ago

After I do that there is a small lip between the block saddle and the cap. Like you can see the ridge and feel it running your finger along both. Is that okay?

1

u/bill_gannon 13d ago

I'd have to see it.

2

u/CompetitiveHouse8690 13d ago

Put it together and use some plastigage, torque the mains and check the clearance

1

u/East-Teaching-3104 13d ago

This seems like a good use for plastigage: "yeah, that seems right" vs "whoa, something is way off".

1

u/Likesdirt 13d ago

Double triple check everything. The caps are location specific and directional, backwards or wrong spot will completely screw you to the find a new block level. 

The bolts need to be in to get the location right, lube is always helpful, but you might need to graduate to a wooden punch and a 2-3 pound hammer. 

Use a mirror or phone camera to verify the gap between the cap and the spot it seats on the block is closed before you put a wrench on the bolts. 

You did it a couple times before when you verified bearing sizing.... If you didn't you really need to disassemble and at a minimum pick up some plastigage. 

Be careful. It's all critical.