Main Bearings, Standard Case, .010 Crank, Standard Thrust

OVERVIEW

When it comes to rebuilding the heart of your air-cooled Volkswagen, the foundation of your engine''s longevity and oil pressure starts with the main bearings. These EMPI Main Bearings, manufactured by Silverline, are the industry standard for enthusiasts and professional engine builders alike who demand reliability and precision. Designed specifically for a "Standard Case" and a ".010 Undersize Crankshaft," these bearings provide the exact tolerances required to keep your crankshaft spinning smoothly under the high-heat conditions typical of an air-cooled environment. These steel-backed, silver-alloy bearings offer superior heat dissipation and fatigue resistance compared to lesser alternatives, ensuring that your Beetle, Bus, or Ghia remains on the road for years to come. Whether you are performing a stock refresh or a mild performance build, choosing a high-quality bearing set is the most critical decision you will make during the assembly process.

The Silverline brand has long been a favorite in the VW community because of its consistent manufacturing quality and metallurgical integrity. This specific set is engineered for engines where the engine case main bores are still at the factory standard dimension, but the crankshaft has been ground or "turned" .010 inches (0.25mm) to remove scoring or irregularities. Furthermore, these bearings feature a "Standard Thrust" width, making them the perfect solution for crankshafts and cases that have not had the thrust surface machined. By utilizing a steel-backed construction, these bearings resist "pounding out" under load, maintaining critical oil clearances even during spirited driving. When you buy from Appletree Automotive, you are getting a product backed by decades of air-cooled expertise, ensuring your engine build is off to the best possible start.

FITMENT

This main bearing set is designed for VW Type 1, 2, and 3 air-cooled engines (1300cc, 1500cc, and 1600cc based). Specifically, it fits the following models assuming the case is standard and the crank is cut .010:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1961-1979 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1961-1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Transporter: 1961-1971 (Type 2 with Type 1 based engine)
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1962-1973
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973-1974
• Custom Applications: Dune Buggies, Sand Rails, and Trikes utilizing a VW Type 1 engine case.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: Silverline (Distributed by EMPI)
• Part Number: 111-198-463
• Engine Case Bore: Standard (Approx. 65.00mm)
• Crankshaft Journal Diameter: .010 inch Undersize / 0.25mm (Approx. 54.75mm)
• Thrust Surface: Standard Width
• Construction: Steel-Backed Silver-Alloy Lining
• Manufacturing Origin: Mexico
• Engine Compatibility: 40hp, 1300cc, 1500cc, 1600cc (Dual and Single Relief Cases)
• Oil Hole Configuration: Precision drilled for maximum oil flow to journals

PRO TIPS

1. Triple-Check Your Measurements Before Assembly

One of the most common mistakes in engine building is assuming the sizes based on what was previously installed or what is written on a box. Always use a high-quality micrometer to measure your crankshaft journals and a dial bore gauge to check your engine case. In the VW world, many cases have been line-bored in the past without being marked. If you install standard case bearings into a case that has been line-bored .020 over, you will have zero oil pressure and immediate engine failure. Measure twice, assemble once, and always verify that your ".010" crank actually measures within the factory wear limits for that specific undersize.

2. Cleanliness and Oil Gallery Alignment

Before installing these bearings, ensure the engine case is surgically clean. Pay special attention to the dowel pin holes and the oil galleys. When dropping the bearings into the case halves, verify that the oil holes in the bearings align perfectly with the oil passages in the case. If the bearing is slightly misaligned or the "tang" is not seated correctly, oil flow will be restricted, leading to a spun bearing within minutes of the first startup. Use a high-quality assembly lubenot just motor oilon the bearing faces to provide protection during those first few critical seconds of rotation before the oil pump reaches full pressure.

3. Proper Seating of the Thrust Bearing

The number one bearing (the one closest to the flywheel) is the thrust bearing, which controls the end-play of the crankshaft. Even though this is a "Standard Thrust" set, you must still check your crankshaft end-play using a dial indicator after the flywheel is torqued. If the thrust surface on your case is worn, the bearing may "walk," leading to case damage. Always ensure the bearing is fully seated against the case web and that the dowel pins are in good condition. If you find that the end-play cannot be set within the factory range of .003 to .005 inches using the three shim method, you may need to have your case thrust surface cut and use a different bearing set.