Anyone got a 325i crank out? How many tabs on bearing caps?

[E30cabalan]

Hi chaps,
Is it just my car?
I have an 89 325i engine in bits at present and when I went to fit the new main bearings I found thet the bearings in the block were of the single tab type and the bearings in all the bearing caps were of the double tab type.
I am pretty sure the engine has never been worked on as it is almost perfect with 110K on it and very slight scoring on the main shells.
The OEM bearings from GSF are sold as complete sets of either type so you end up with two sets to replace one set?
Anyone else experienced this with a 325 rebuild??

[Martinaston]

With the older bearings the top and bottom's both had single tabs so you COULD just rotate (bodge) them
So at a guess it's either to make you buy new ones or it's just that bit of extra engineering BMW like to do to stop them twisting

[Templ8e30]

I've just been out to the shed to check and you're correct, the caps have 2 tabs and the block has a single tab.

When I built my 2.7 I definately only bought 1 set of main bearing shells, I got mine from the local engine reconditioning company and were top quality Karl Schmidt bearings. Specify what engine they are for and they will come with the correct number of tabs.

Cheers,

Iain T

[E30cabalan]

Thanks chaps,
At least I have learnt something and have a extra set of bearings up for grabs if anyone is interested.
So buyer beware if you are getting rebuild main bearings from GSF.

[chu346]

Talking of crankshafts, I've got one for sale if anyone wants one

(Sorry E30cabalan)

[Simon13]

With the older bearings the top and bottom's both had single tabs so you COULD just rotate (bodge) them
So at a guess it's either to make you buy new ones or it's just that bit of extra engineering BMW like to do to stop them twisting

my alpina bottom end i have just taken apart had shells like this......

[Dan318-is]

iv jsut bought shells for an early 325i lump from GSF

looking at them now i can only see one tab :

[Turbo-Brown]

Yeah, my '85 engine (325i) also only had one tab on each bearing. Never seen double ones thinking about it!