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Tri-metal big end bearings, set of 8 half shells, Honda A18 A20 B16A B17 B18 B20 F18 F20

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Big end bearing set, tri-metal, ACL Race / King Racing, for HONDA A18 A20 B16 B17 B18 B20 F18 F20

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53,48 € tax incl.

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  • The Honda A20A, ET, B16A, B17A, B18, B20A, F18B and F20B four-cylinder engines

    The A20A, ET, B16A, B17A, B18A, B18B, B20A, F18B and F20B are inline four-cylinder engines of Honda, fitted notably to the Civic, CRX, Accord, Prelude, Integra and Torneo, including the Acura Integra. ACL and King list the same bearing set for these engines: a single set covers the family.

    From the factory, this engine is fitted with standard production connecting rod bearings, sized for the loads of the original engine: as soon as power, engine speed or boost pressure increase, they reach their limits.

    Trimetal connecting rod bearings

    A trimetal bearing stacks three layers: a steel back, a copper-lead intermediate layer with high load capacity and an anti-friction running surface that protects the journal. The complete set contains 8 half shells, four pairs for a four-cylinder engine.

    The original bearing relies on an aluminium alloy over a steel back, intended for low to medium loads, whereas trimetal is designed for high, sustained loads: an aluminium bi-metal takes around 8,000 psi, a performance trimetal up to 12,000 psi, 50% more. Hence better resistance and better durability on turbocharged, supercharged and high-revving engines.

    Technical specifications

    Fitment dimensions common to all references
    ACL / King bearings
    Crankpin Ø 44.980 / 45.000 mm
    Housing bore Ø 48.000 / 48.024 mm
    Width 19.5 mm (ACL), 19.4 mm (King)
    ReferenceBrand and treatmentSizeWall thickness (mm)
    4B1946H-STDACL Race - UntreatedStandard1.504
    4B1946HX-STDACL Race - UntreatedStd, increased clearance (HX)1.491
    4B1946H-.025ACL Race - Untreated+0.0251.5165
    4B1946H-.25ACL Race - Untreated+0.251.629
    4B1946HD-STDACL Race - UntreatedStandard, dowel hole
    4B1946HXD-STDACL Race - UntreatedStd, increased clearance (HX), dowel hole
    4B1946HD-.025ACL Race - Untreated+0.025, dowel hole
    4B1946HD-.25ACL Race - Untreated+0.25, dowel hole
    CR439XP STDXKing Racing - UntreatedStd, increased clearance (STDX)1.491
    CR439XP.026King Racing - Untreated+0.0261.517
    CR439XP0.25King Racing - Untreated+0.251.631
    CR439XPCKing Racing - pMaxKoteStandard1.504
    CR439XPC STDXKing Racing - pMaxKoteStd, increased clearance (STDX)1.491
    CR439XPC.026King Racing - pMaxKote+0.0261.517
    CR439XPC0.25King Racing - pMaxKote+0.251.631

    The references ending in D (4B1946HD-STD, 4B1946HXD-STD, 4B1946HD-.025, 4B1946HD-.25) are the dowel-hole versions: the lower shell has a dowel hole that matches a dowel location on the connecting rod cap. Choose according to whether your connecting rod cap has a dowel or not.

    Running clearance

    The running clearance is the gap between the bearing and the journal where the oil film flows.

    In operation, the crankshaft journal does not rub against the bearing: it rides on this oil film, which carries the load. Clearance sets the thickness of this film: too tight, oil flows poorly, temperature rises and the risk of seizure increases; too loose, oil escapes, the film loses load-carrying capacity and oil pressure drops. The right clearance is the balance between adequate lubrication and a well-maintained oil film.

    Size / gradeWhen to choose itACL Race SeriesKing XP / XPC
    Standard (STD)Standard journal, not reground0.049 to 0.058 mm0.048 mm - 0.057 mm
    Increased clearance (HX / STDX)Wider clearance: high oil flow, high rpm0.074 to 0.083 mm0.073 mm - 0.082 mm
    +0.025 / +0.026 mmPolished journal0.049 to 0.058 mm0.048 mm - 0.057 mm
    +0.25 mmJournal reground to 0.25 mm0.049 to 0.058 mm0.048 mm - 0.057 mm

    Checking on assembly: lay a calibrated strip (Plastigauge) on the journal, torque the rod cap to spec (see the torque table below), then compare the crushed strip against the gauge to read the clearance.

    Plastigauge

    Order the Plastigauge →

    Technical guide

    The ACL and King rod bearings shown here are trimetal bearings, designed for engine building and racing. Compared with an original bearing, they handle far higher loads: they cope with increased power, high rpm or the addition of a turbo or supercharger, where a standard bearing quickly reaches its limit.

    The two brands

    ACLACL Bearing Company, an Australian manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since 1949, offers with its Race Series precise trimetal bearings, available in many sizes and proven on built engines worldwide.
    King RacingKing Engine Bearings, an Israeli manufacturer of high-performance engine bearings since the 1960s, offers with its pMax Black trimetal alloy bearings designed for heavy loads, with a pMaxKote coating available as an option (XPC version).

    Construction and advantages

    CriterionACL Race SeriesKing Racing
    Cross-sectionCross-section of an ACL Race Series trimetal bearingCross-section of a King Racing trimetal bearing
    TypeHigh-performance trimetal bearingHigh-performance trimetal bearing
    Country of manufactureAustraliaIsrael
    ConstructionTrimetal: steel back, copper layer, soft surfaceTrimetal: steel back, copper layer, soft surface
    AlloyRace Series (copper-lead)pMax Black (hardened copper-lead)
    Protective coatingNopMaxKote (optional, XPC version): polymer coating on the surface that limits wear when lubrication drops (start-ups, thin oil film).
    Available sizesStandard to +0.25 mm (+ increased clearance HX)Standard to +0.25 mm (+ increased clearance STDX)

    Vehicle compatibility

    This connecting rod bearing set fits the A20A, ET, B16A, B17A, B18A, B18B, B20A, F18B and F20B four-cylinder engines of the following Honda and Acura models:

    BrandModel (chassis)Engine codePowerYears
    HONDACIVIC IV Hatchback (EC, ED, EE, EF) 1.6 i 16V Vtec (EE9)B16A1150 hp1989–1991
    HONDAACCORD II Hatchback (AC, AD) 1.8 EX (AD)ET1101 hp1983–1985
    HONDAACCORD III (CA) 2.0 EX (CA5) / 2.0 EXi (CA5) / 2.0 12V (CA5) / 2.0 12VA20A1, A20A2, A20A3, A20A499–122 hp1985–1989
    HONDAACCORD III Aerodeck (CA) 2.0 EX (CA5) / 2.0 EXi (CA5) / 2.0A20A1, A20A2, A20A3, A20A4102–137 hp1985–1989
    HONDAPRELUDE II (AB) 1.8 EX (AAB) / 2.0 i (BA) / 2.0 SiA20A4, ET2, ET3, ET4101–116 hp1983–1987
    HONDACRX II (ED, EE) 1.6 i 16V Vtec (EE8)B16A1150 hp1989–1992
    HONDACRX III (EH, EG) 1.6 i VTi (EG2)B16A2, B16A3160 hp1992–1998
    HONDAPRELUDE III (BA) 2.0 EX (BA4) / 2.0 (BA4)B20A3, B20A4106–114 hp1987–1992
    HONDACIVIC V Hatchback (EG, EH) 1.6 VTi 16V (EG6)B16A2160 hp1991–1995
    HONDACIVIC V Berline tricorps (EG, EH) 1.6 VTi (EG9)B16A2160 hp1991–1995
    HONDAACCORD V Aerodeck (CE) 2.0 i LS 16V (CE2)F20B3136 hp1993–1998
    HONDACIVIC VI Hatchback (EJ, EK) 1.6 VTi (EK4)B16A2160 hp1995–2001
    HONDACIVIC VI Berline tricorps (EJ, EK, SO) 1.6 VTi (EK4, SO4)B16A2160 hp1995–2001
    HONDAACCORD VI (CK, CG, CH, CF, CL) 2.0 i (CG9) / i (CF3)F18B, F20B6140–147 hp1998–2002
    HONDAACCORD VI Coupé (CG) 2.0 i 16VF20B5147 hp1998–2003
    HONDAACCORD V Coupé (CD) 2.0 (CD9)F20B3136 hp1993–1997
    HONDAACCORD VI Hatchback (CH, CL) 2.0 (CH7)F20B6147 hp1999–2002
    HONDACIVIC VI Coupé (EJ, EM1) 1.6 i Vtec (EM1)B16A2160 hp1999–2000
    HONDAACCORD III Coupé 2.0 EXi / 2.0 12VA20A1, A20A399–122 hp1985–1989
    HONDACIVIC IV Berline tricorps (ED, EF) 1.6 4x4B16A1150 hp1988–1991
    HONDATORNEO Berline tricorps (CF) 1.8 (CF3)F18B140 hp1999–2002
    HONDAINTEGRA Berline à hayon (DA) 1.8 (DA9)B18A1, B18B1131 hp1989–1993
    HONDAINTEGRA Coupé (DC) 1.8 (DC2)B18B1, B18B2137–146 hp1993–2001
    HONDAACCORD V (CC, CD) 2.0 i (CD4)F20B3136 hp1993–1997
    HONDAINTEGRA Berline tricorps (DB6, DB7, DB8, DB9) 1.8 ESI (DB7)B18B2145 hp1993–2001
    HONDAINTEGRA Berline tricorps (DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8, DA9, DB1, DB2) 1.8 (DB1)B18A2140 hp1989–1993
    ACURAINTEGRA Berline à hayon 1.8 / 1.7B17A1, B18A1, B18B1132–162 hp1990–2001
    ACURAINTEGRA Berline tricorps 1.8B18A1, B18B1132–144 hp1990–2001

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