P-Series parts are the oldest series of Clevite® high performance bearings. Both rods and mains have high crush for maximum retention, and a reduced overlay thickness to prevent overlay fatigue, sometimes referred to as hen tracking.
Use P-Series mains where higher eccentricity is desired to narrow bearing contact patterns and to provide increased oiling to rod bearings. Rod bearing oil starvation is typically indicated by polishing and smearing of the bearing surface, possibly accompanied by discoloration predominantly concentrated at the axial center of the bearings.
Clevite® TriMetal™ engine bearings have been the industry standard since the first patent on the cast, copper, lead composition decades ago. These points are just a few of the advantages Clevite's TriMetal™ engine bearings:
Seizure Resistance - Clevite TriMetal™ bearings have as much as 40% better seizure resistance than competitors' engine bearings.
Load Capacity - Clevite TriMetal™ bearings can withstand over 60% higher loads for extended periods compared to competitor bearings.
Embedability & Conformability - The overlay on a TriMetal™ bearing offers a superior surface for forgiveness, offering additional protection that can be extremely beneficial in an engine that is poorly maintained.
Durability - Clevite TriMetal™ bearings not only exceed light vehicle OE durability requirements of 150,000 miles, they also exceed heavy vehicle OE durability requirements of 300,000 miles.
Even all tri-metal engine bearings are not the same. If you want the highest quality, strongest, and original TriMetal™ bearings, ask for Clevite Engine Bearings.
The letters at the end of each part number indicate a specific feature of the part.
Example:
Part #CB1234HXNK: H = High Performance, X = .001" more oil clearance than standard, N = Narrowed for greater crankshaft fillet clearance, K = TriArmor™ coating applied to the bearing surface.
Letters & Their Meanings
A Steel backed lead free aluminum silicon alloy bearings without overlay. Standard replacement material.
M Steel backed bearings with a Micro-Babbitt lining (a very thin layer of lining which reduces the microscopic deflections that occur to a bearing when loaded and thus increases fatigue life). Solely intended for extreme high-horsepower applications.
AL Solid cast aluminum alloy bearings (material designation AL-1) or steel backed bearings with an aluminum alloy lining material designation AL-3, AL-4, AL-5, AL-6). Standard replacement material.
N Narrowed for greater crankshaft fillet clearance.
B Steel backed bearings with a conventional babbit lining.
P Steel backed bearings with an intermediate layer of copper-lead alloy and an electroplated lead-tin-copper overlay. Standard replacement material.
C Steel backed bearings with a copper-lead lining.
R Indicates that the bearing can be resized to standard. When following a camshaft bearing, indicates that it has extra bore stock in the inside diameter.
D Bearing has dowel hole.
S Indicates a set number designation.
G Steel backed bearings with a matrix of copper and an infiltrant of lead-tin babbitt. Precision undersizes are not resizable.
V High performance bearing with a lead-indium overlay (on main sets this indicates partial groove). Solely intended for extreme high-horsepower applications.
H High performance bearing (on main sets this indicates partial groove). Perform the same as "A" and "P" bearings, but have the ability to carry more load.
VG High performance bearing with a lead-indium overlay and a full annular groove. Solely intended for extreme high-horsepower applications.
HG High performance full annular grooved bearing. Perform the same as "A" and "P" bearings, but have the ability to carry more load.
X Bearing has .001” more oil clearance than standard.
HT High performance with indentless locating lug. “Full Bore” design. Perform the same as "A" and "P" bearings, but have the ability to carry more load.
XX Bearing has .002” more oil clearance than standard.
K TriArmor™ coating applied to the bearing surface, which offers extraordinary protection and lubricity. Enhanced wear characteristics increase bearing life in race engines and high performance street Engines.
W Indicates a part that is a thrust washer (may also be designated upper or lower).
Additional Resources