20XE qeustions

[Mike]

Helpy please thanking yous in advance :)

Rods: Are they all the same between early & late (as in length/bearing sizes) dont want to be buying aftermeerkat rods for a late to find out there for early & vice versur.

Cranks: As above.

Oil pump: As above.

Are there any known stress/cracking points on the block I should check before I spend some coin on the block itself.

Bearings: Any partic brands to avoid?? Ive heard you can get them in two different thickness, any gen on this???

[Tony M]

I know the crank is different/stronger and the 20XE had the Mahle pistons.

[philip]

rods - all 143mm length early and late so no worries.

cranks - early is stronger and lighter....better suited to n/a and been known to run to nearly 9k rpm...but id keep it stock bearings.

oil pump - late type has an extra casting where tensioner bolts too...and iirc early backing plate wont sit right with it...even though you could just cut the mounting off with a hacksaw

stress points - tbh i couldnt tell you...just watch when replacing core plugs u dont **** the bore hard and potentially cause a problem...know a lad who recently changed his plugs after a build and damaged the bore...cost him another rebuild and a block in the end

bearings - its not thicknesses its width 19 odd mm and 20 odd or 21odd mm. i build own engines with ACL 780 bearings, but do use mahle mains and gylco big ends before and not had a problem, wouldnt use kings or any cheapy looking bearings

[Mike]

Nice one philip :) +reps an all that.

Any particular way to tell the difference between early & late cranks (any obvious visual difference?)

[philip]

im in work so photobucket doesnt work now, but if you were too look at the counter weights on the crank if looking at it if the pistons were half way up the bore....the early cranks are scolloped where as the later cranks are straight.

early above, late below:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/85/25032008151bz7.jpg/

[Mike]

Ah right I see.

*Goes off to check my ten tonne crank*

Winnar lol the one Ive got here is ident to the one pictured top in your link.

[philip]

sorted, thats the one to have, i think the later one is heavier due to being made from a slightly different material and made that way to keep the strength, but i may be wrong

[Mike]

Heavier???? Is that possible lol lol lol not used to these big block hundred weight cranks :S