In order to check the clearances for rod and main bearings you need a set of micrometers and a dial bore gauge these are readily available at budget prices but if you are going to use them a lot better quality tools are advised.
Best connecting rod bearings.
Another old school trick was a main bearing set with a 360 degree groove.
In reality the right way to check bearing clearances is with the proper tools.
Obviously there are others say experts but these are the primary elements that are used.
According to sledge both connecting rod and main bearing housing bores need to have a surface finish of approximately 60 to 90 micro inches.
And they are all on a comparative basis much softer than the iron and steel crankshafts that run against them.
Upper main shells which see less loads than the lowers have retained a groove to supply the connecting rods with oil.
Summit racing carries rod bearings for street strip and race only applications made from a wide variety of high quality materials and in all critical sizes for your crankshaft.
Proper housing bore size and cap fastener torque will ensure that the bearing is properly crushed for maximum retention.
Bearings clearance basics best bearings one of the abilities that separates the experienced engine builders from the novices is properly fitting the bearing clearances for both the crank and rod.