Engine Bearings

Engine bearings are one of the most important parts of the engine and require the utmost precision during production. High quality engine bearings can extend the life of an engine. It is with this in mind that FAI have developed their range of engine bearings. Quality testing of raw materials and random testing through the production process ensure that the finished product we put in our boxes is a perfect fit.

With over 30 years experience in engine repair, FAI offer a wide variety of parts for engine top and bottom repair. Introduced in 2018 is the FAI engine bearing range which compliments our piston and ring product offer with 98% coverage. The range includes over 460 part numbers which is catalogued against no fewer than 25,000 applications or 3000 individual engine codes. All our engine bearings are packed in engine sets, so customers need only order a single box to effect a repair.

In an effort ot make the products easy to identify FAI have selected part number prefixs that reflect the type of product;

• BB = Big End Bearing Set
• BM = Main Bearing Set
• BT = Thrust Washer Set
• BC = Camshaft Bearing Set
• BS = Small End Bearing Set

Bearing Manufacturing:

Our Engine Bearings are manufactured to exacting tolerances to ensure a reliable long lasting fit.

Micron tolerance machining and precision measurement systems deliver the highest level of accuracy, to consistently maintain key characteristics like wall thickness, crush and lubrication design features.

Location in the Engine:

Bearings can be found in a number of locations across the engine:

Cylinder Block/Bottom End

1. Main Bearing – Located on the Crankshaft Main journals.
2. Big End Bearing – Located at the ‘Big End’ of the Connecting Rod, where it connects to the Crankshaft.
3. Flange Bearing/Thrust Washer – Located at the end or mid-way through the Crankshaft
4. Small End Bearing – Located at the ‘Small End’ of the Connecting Rod, where it connects to the Piston Gudgeon Pin

Cylinder Head/Top End

1. Camshaft Bush/Bearing – Situated on the Camshaft journals (not all camshafts require bearings)

Bearing Materials/Structure:

Utilising several layers of unique grade materials.

Depending on the application, there can be a drastic variation in chemical material used.

Higher load engines require a larger share of overlay materials and a smaller share of Base layer materials.

Medium-Low load engines require a larger share of Base layer, with less of a requirement for sophisticated Overlay layers.

• Base
  • Supports bearing lining and overlays
  • Forms the outer shell for seating the shell in place
  • Mostly made up of a high tensile steel
  • Typical thickness makes up the remaining thickness (90%->)
• Lining
  • Fatigue Strength Layer
  • Can be a combination of Tin, Copper or Silicone
  • Typical thickness 0.012″/0.3MM
• Barrier
  • Separation layer between Lining and Overlays
  • Usually a unique material to maximise protection between the Lining and Overlays
  • Mostly made of Nickel
  • Typical thickness 0.00004″/0.001MM
• Overlay
  • Anti-Seizure, Wear Resistant layer.
  • Main point of contact for moving components (Crankshaft, Connecting Rod, Camshaft etc)
  • Can be a combination of Tin or Copper

Typical thickness 0.0005”/0.013MM