05-09-2018, 02:42 PM
(05-09-2018, 01:35 PM)DavidL Wrote: Accepted wisdom is that the three bearing engine won't last. Some do if looked after, and that means not bolted down tight but as a result the front of the chassis will be very floppy. There are ways and means to put the stiffness back, and if research and development are all part of the fun you'll get there and enjoy the car getting better and better with each step. Most with a three bearing engine in a special will be collecting bits for "the next engine", and relative to a sorted and on the button car this one needs to be priced to reflect that.
David,
It's fairly well understood now that 3 bearing engines last just fine if they are built properly. In brief this means (i) starting with a crank which isn't already cracked and (ii) making sure the centre bearing is in line with the other two. The Australians are producing new 3 bearing cranks (see parallel thread) and using them very successfully I gather.
Your comment re this particular car may very well be correct as the above does not seem to be widely appreciated, and if it's just been slapped together it won't last long.
Whether you have a three bearing or two, I would not advise bolting all four engine mountings firmly to the chassis.