Clevite MS-2202HX H-Series Extra Clearance Crankshaft Main Bearing Set

The Clevite MS-2202HX is an H-Series performance crankshaft main bearing set engineered for Ford 4.6L and 5.4L engines. Built to the same exacting standards originally developed for NASCAR competition, these bearings are equally at home in street performance and all forms of motorsport. The HX suffix designates extra clearance — bearing walls are 0.0005" thinner per side, providing an additional 0.001" of total oil clearance for improved lubrication under high-load, high-RPM conditions.

H-Series Construction & Design:

• TriMetal construction — a copper-lead alloy bonded to a steel back and electroplated with a white metal surface layer for an ideal balance of conformability, embedability, and fatigue resistance
• Hardened steel back with thin overlay for maximum strength and durability
• High crush factor for positive bearing retention in the bore
• Medium eccentricity for optimal contact patterns covering approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the bearing surface
• Enlarged chamfers at the parting lines for greater crankshaft fillet clearance
• 180° upper shell oil groove for efficient oil delivery to connecting rod bearings while maintaining maximum film thickness in the lower shell
• No flash plating on the steel back for improved seating and positive retention
• 0.001" extra oil clearance (HX designation) for engines with standard-size crankshaft journals requiring additional clearance

H-Series Application Guide:

H-Series bearings are the recommended starting point for most performance engine builds. Use the MS-2202HX when running crankshafts with oversize fillets, or where the engine operates in the medium-to-high RPM range. These bearings are also the correct choice when P-Series contact patterns are too narrow — ideal contact should cover 2/3 to 3/4 of the bearing surface. If contact patterns are acceptable but additional oil clearance is needed for the application, the HX extra clearance specification provides that margin without requiring a custom-ground crankshaft.

Grooving Philosophy:

The 180° upper shell groove is optimized for performance engine use. Research by Clevite engineers has shown that a half-groove upper shell provides the best overall oil film development. Extending the groove into the lower half — even marginally — reduces the oil film thickness available to support the crankshaft journal load. The grooveless lower shell allows a thicker, more robust oil film to develop, increasing the safety margin and bearing service life.

Manufactured in Atlantic, Iowa, USA, Clevite H-Series bearings are the trusted choice of professional engine builders across racing disciplines. Sold as a complete set.