H Series -

• Best to start with when unsure which bearing to choose
• Medium level of eccentricity and high crush
• Enlarged chamfers for greater crankshaft fillet clearance
• Made without flash plating for better seating
• Use with crankshafts that have oversized fillets
• Use with engines that run mid-high RPM range
• Contact patterns should ideally cover 2/3 to 3/4 of the bearing surface

   

  P Series -
• Typically the greatest level of eccentricity
• Rods and mains have high crush for maximum retention
• Most are fully grooved to maximize oil flow to rod bearings
• Reduced overlay thickness to prevent overlay fatigue
• Use where extremely high RPMs cause severe rod bore close-in
• Use where higher eccentricity is desired to narrow bearing contact patterns

   

  V Series -
• This series essentially duplicates Clevite's former Vandervell parts
• Typically low to medium eccentricity
• Not available with oversized chamfers
• No flash plating on the steel back
• All Clevite main bearing sets use a single-piece thrust bearing
• Narrowed parts available to accommodate increased crankshaft fillet clearance
• Lead-indium overlay offers slightly better conformability

   

  M Series -
• These are special purpose bearings having a nominal .005" thick Babbitt lining on a hardened steel back
• They are intended mainly for Blown Fuel engines where severe crankshaft deflections cause edge loading of the bearings
• Under these operating conditions bearing service life will be very short
• Frequent inspection and replacement is recommended
  

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  Part Number Key
  • H - High-Performance
  • HD - High-Performance bearing with dowel hole
  • HK - High-Performance bearing with moly/graphite coating
  • P - Standard Clevite 77 tri-metal bearing
  • M - Blown Fuel Engine bearing for severe crankshaft deflections & edge loading
  • N - High-Performance Narrowed for greater crankshaft fillet clearance
  • HG - High-Performance full angular grooved bearing
  • V - High-Performance with Lead Indium overlay (On Main Sets this indicates partial groove also)
  • VG - High-Performance with Lead Indium full angular grooved bearing
  • D - Bearing has a dowel hole
  • K - Tri-Armor coated bearing
  • X - Bearing has .001 more oil clearance than standard
  • XX - Bearing has .002 more oil clearance than standard
  • A or AL - Indicates Aluminum bearing material

  Note: Clevite main bearings are priced as sets.

When you’re rebuilding or modifying a Chevrolet V8, the quality of every part counts, and that includes main bearings. Clevite Bi-Metal 77 engine bearings have been a go-to resource for decades, with the strength of a copper-lead alloy layer, steel backing and electroplated babbitt metal for the right degree of slipperiness and conformability. This series includes cam bearings, rod bearings and main bearings from Clevite. With decades of research, development and experience, Clevite 77 bearings have been a staple in many race-winning engines, and the materials in Clevite bearings are superior to OEM bearings. 

Performance Benefits & Key Features

This series includes several grades of bearings, each with different properties. The H Series is a good choice for mid-high RPM ranges, with moderate eccentricity and high crush, and enlarged chamfers for greater crankshaft fillet clearance. The lack of flash plating on H Series bearings enables better seating. P Series bearings feature the highest eccentricity, with high crush for maximum retention and grooves to optimize oil flow. The reduced overlay thickness prevents overlay fatigue; these bearings are suitable for very high RPM ranges. The V Series duplicates Clevite’s Vandervell parts, with a lead-indium overlay, narrowed parts for enhanced crank fillet clearances, low to medium eccentricity and no flash plating on the steel backing. M Series bearings are designed for specialty applications like blown fuel engines with crankshaft deflections that will edge-load the bearings; bearing service life is very short in these instances and frequent inspection and rebuilding will be necessary. 

Fitment, Compatibility & Applications

Clevite 77 bearing sets are available for small block Chevrolet engines from 1955 to 2002 as well as LS family V8s, big-block Chevy V8s from 1965 to 2000, select inline 6 engines and select Chevy and Buick V6 engines. Clevite part numbers will include H (High Performance), HD (High Performance with dowel hole), HK (poly/graphite coating), P (standard 77 tri-metal), M (blown fuel engines), N (High Performance and narrowed for crankshaft fillet clearance), HG (full angular grooved), V (lead indium overlay), VG (lead indium and full angular grooved), D (bearing with dowel hole), K (Tri-Armor coated), X (.001 more oil clearance than stock), XX (.002 more oil clearance than stock), A or AL (aluminum bearing material). Correct installation and orientation of the bearings is critical during assembly; Plastigauge is recommended to ensure the proper clearances during assembly.