Main Bearings, .020 Case, .040 Crank, .040 Thrust

OVERVIEW

When it comes to rebuilding a legendary air-cooled Volkswagen engine, the foundation of your build relies entirely on the precision and quality of your internal components. These EMPI Main Bearings are engineered specifically for engines that have seen some serious road time and require a second lease on life through professional machining. If your engine case has been line-bored .020 inches over to correct for warping or wear, and your crankshaft has been turned .040 inches under to remove scoring or journals that are out of round, these bearings provide the exact tolerances needed to restore factory-spec oil pressure and rotational stability. Utilizing a high-strength steel-backed design, these bearings offer superior heat dissipation and structural integrity, ensuring that your Type 1, 2, or 3 engine can handle the rigors of modern driving while maintaining the classic VW reliability you expect.

Precision is not just a suggestion in the world of VW engine building; it is a requirement. This specific bearing set is designed for a .040 thrust cut, which is critical for correcting excessive crankshaft end-play that often plagues older magnesium or aluminum cases. By choosing this high-quality Silverline-style set, you are investing in a product that has been the industry standard for decades. Whether you are building a stock 1600cc dual-port for your daily driver Beetle or a ruggedized powerplant for an off-road dune buggy, these bearings provide the essential interface between the case and the crank. Don''t settle for inferior components when the heart of your engine is on the line; trust the specialists at Appletree Auto to provide the exact fitment required for your specialized machining needs.

FITMENT

This main bearing set is designed for Volkswagen Type 1 based air-cooled engines (1200cc to 1600cc based configurations). Please verify your machining measurements before ordering.

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1961-1979 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1961-1974
• Volkswagen Bus / Type 2: 1961-1971 (Up to 1600cc engines)
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1962-1973
• Volkswagen Thing: 1973-1974
• Custom Applications: Sand rails, Dune Buggies, and Trikes using VW Type 1 engine cases.

SPECS

• Brand: EMPI / Silverline Series
• Case Bore (Over-Size): .020 inches (0.50mm)
• Crankshaft Journal (Under-Size): .040 inches (1.00mm)
• Thrust Cut (Over-Size): .040 inches (1.00mm)
• Material: Steel-backed with high-grade bearing alloy face
• Application: Type 1, 2, and 3 VW Air-cooled engines
• Interchange Part Number: 111-198-479OS
• Construction: Precision stamped and machined for exact oil hole alignment

PRO TIPS

1. Always Triple-Check Your Measurements

Before you even open the plastic packaging on your new bearings, you must verify the dimensions of your machined case and crankshaft using a high-quality micrometer and dial bore gauge. Machine shops can occasionally make mistakes, or there might be a misunderstanding regarding the specific "cut" required. Ensure your case is truly bored .020 over and your crank is turned .040 under. Checking these tolerances now prevents the nightmare of "plastic-gauging" the assembly and finding out the clearances are incorrect after the case halves are already sealed. Remember, once the bearing packaging is opened, they are typically non-returnable, so measure twice and install once.

2. Proper Bearing Dowel Pin Alignment

One of the most common mistakes during a VW engine assembly is failing to properly seat the main bearings on the dowel pins located in the case webbing. When installing these .020/.040/.040 bearings, ensure that the hole in the bearing shell drops perfectly over the pin. If the bearing is slightly misaligned, the pin will "crush" the bearing shell when you torque the case halves together, which will bind the crankshaft and likely ruin the bearing and potentially the case. Use a small amount of assembly lube to hold the bearing in place, and rotate the crank by hand as you snug the case nuts to ensure everything is spinning freely without resistance.

3. Cleanliness and Oil Galley Preparation

Since you are using bearings designed for a machined case and crank, there is a high likelihood that metal shavings and grit from the machining process are still hiding in the engine''s oil galleys. You must meticulously clean the case with soapy water, followed by compressed air and a dedicated engine brush kit. Pay special attention to the oil holes in the bearings themselves; ensure they align perfectly with the oil supply holes in the case. Any blockage here will lead to immediate bearing failure upon the first startup. We recommend using a high-zinc assembly lube on the bearing faces to provide initial lubrication before the oil pump has time to prime the system and provide full pressure.