Clevite MS-590HX High Performance Engine Crankshaft Main Bearing Set

The Clevite MS-590HX is a high-performance engine crankshaft main bearing set designed for demanding racing and performance applications. This bearing set features Clevite's proven H-Series design with optimized grooving patterns to maximize oil film strength while ensuring adequate oil delivery to connecting rod bearings.

H-Series Performance Features:

• Medium eccentricity design for optimal load distribution and contact patterns
• High crush construction for maximum bearing retention under extreme conditions
• Hardened steel backing for superior strength and fretting resistance
• Thin overlay construction to prevent overlay fatigue and "hen tracking"
• Enlarged chamfers for greater crankshaft fillet clearance
• Non-flash plated for improved bearing seating and conformability
• Standard 180-degree upper shell grooving for optimal oil film development
• HX suffix indicates .001" extra clearance for precision fitting

Engineering and Design:

Clevite's extensive bearing research has proven that a 180-degree groove in the upper main shell provides the best overall performance for racing applications. This design maintains the critical oil film on the loaded lower bearing half while providing adequate oil supply to the connecting rods through the upper shell groove. The H-Series medium eccentricity design produces ideal contact patterns covering 2/3 to 3/4 of the bearing surface, balancing load capacity with oil film development.

Applications:

The H-Series design is ideal for NASCAR-type racing and all forms of competition engines operating in medium to high RPM ranges. These bearings are specifically engineered for use with performance crankshafts featuring oversized fillets. The HX extra clearance variant allows for precise bearing clearance adjustment and select fitting to match specific engine tolerances and operating conditions.

Technical Construction:

Built on Clevite's legendary TriMetal bearing technology, these bearings feature a hardened steel back, a copper-lead intermediate layer, and a lead-tin-copper overlay. The reduced overlay thickness provides excellent durability while maintaining the conformability and embed-ability characteristics essential for high-performance applications. The bearing design eliminates oil film disruption in critical load zones, reducing peak oil film pressure and minimizing parasitic horsepower loss.

If you're unsure which Clevite performance bearing series to choose, the H-Series represents the best starting point for most high-performance and racing applications, offering an excellent balance of durability, oil flow, and load capacity.