Can't quite figure 910 main bearing replacements

[andrewp1989]

Although I would like to financially support Lotus Motor Cars -of England- all of the time (ha-ha), I was wondering if all you other Esprit owners/experts know of an inexpensive source for Esprit 910 main bearings?

Through this forum (as well as via other internet sources) I have "heard" the following possibilities:

1) They are a Lotus-only applications supplied by Vandervell. Prices from non-Lotus sources (like Dave Bean) are in the range of $40 US for lower halves, $21 for upper halves and the drilled center bearing half is $26 each. Total of, maybe, $300.

2) The Lotus original can be easily replaced with Chrysler 318 mains . . . . however I do not know if line bore (machining) is required. Hint-hint . . . does anyone know for sure? I also do not know if all the 318 mains are grooved rather than being grooveless (as many of my 910 originals were).

3) I am also told that Holden (Australia) or Bedford (UK?) 2.0 or 2.2 litre engine bearings are easy replacements for the Lotus. I believe there is no line boring required . . . just some alloy removed with a file to support the larger "nib" on the bearing shell. They all appear to be grooved bearings. See the web page from "The jensen Healy Part Store" (on 2.2 litre crank kits). The problem is they do not sell the bearings alone; just the whole kit for $894 (US).

4) Less than reliable sources tell me FWD Pontiac LeMans or Optima engines (maybe 1988 to '93) have the same bearings as the Holden or Bedford!?! These cars have 1.6 litre engines (typically), but the larger 4 door sedans with automatic transmissions could have the 2.0 litre blocks as options. Anyone know for sure?

AP

[rlearp]

You need to line bore it for 318s. Just did mine, line boring is not expensive ($45) and well worth it for the cash you'll save on the 38 bearings. And, the 318 bearings are much better than the Lotus bits.

You can be assured there is a motor somewhere that using the standard Lotus bearings and they probably cost $20 instead of $400. Just have to find them.

Ron

[Dr.Hess]

This ap:
www.acl.com.au/web/aclwebsite.nsf/8df7d3f7b605537a4a2569660082eda8/0879e0968f577c734a256967000aaab7/$FILE/ACLwcat.zip
is great for crossing non-US stuff. If that link doesn't work, to go www.acl.com.au and pull down catalog, click for windows, for windows, and download. Using an older version I have had for a while, I find that rod bearings for a Bedford something or other using a Holden red motor:

Type Of Halves - Identical Halves
Units Of Measure - Metric
Minimum Standard Shaft Size - 48.235
Maximum Standard Shaft Size - 48.26
Minimum Standard Tunnel Size - 51.427
Maximum Standard Tunnel Size - 51.44
Maximum Wall At Crown - 1.575
Minimum Vertical Clearance - 0.017
Maximum Vertical Clearance - 0.091
Maximum Overall Length - 18.34

It also lists 14 different Holden motors that the above rod bearings are used in. Not sure where that fits in with the 910 motor, as I see that Lotus conviently left that out of the service notes. They also have a paper (PDF) version of their catalogs available on an individual part basis, so that may be easier to cross.

Here are the Holden main bearings:

Units Of Measure - Metric
Minimum Standard Shaft Size - 63.444
Maximum Standard Shaft Size - 63.47
Minimum Standard Tunnel Size - 68.341
Maximum Standard Tunnel Size - 68.367
Maximum Wall At Crown - 2.426
Minimum Vertical Clearance - 0.019
Maximum Vertical Clearance - 0.097
Maximum Overall Length - 20.5

Which do look in the ballpark. Anyway, play with that you you might find something. Of course, let me know when you find any crosses and I'll stick them in my database.

Dr.Hess