6 replies to this topic

[davididen]

as above, rebuilding an engine, ive had the centre cap machined flat, to fit a steel strap thing. do i put flat washers under the bolt heads?

[Globule]

This is a 50/50, i know of people who have and others that haven't!

Personally i'm fitting some, but if you do, don't just fit any washer, it needs to be a proper hardened item.

[samsfern]

when i got my centre strap and bolts it came with washers, but as said, they need to be hardened ones, standard ones can be quite soft.

[mini13]

as above the washer needs to be hardened, In most cases you will be better off with no washer.

Also check the bolts are up to the job, IMO they should be grade 9 or better.

[davididen]

cool, i presume an engineer shop place would have some hardened washers. also what is the actual point in fitting the centre main strap?

[mike.]

It reinforces the weak centre main cap under high revs. Since the A series only has 3 main bearings caps, they get put under quite alot of strain under high revs. Since its cheap to do a centre main strap is abit of piece of mind really.

[Ethel]

It makes the bearing cap more rigid 'n less likely to distort under high revs. An A Series only has 3 mains bearings compared to the usual 5,