[wbnapier]

I spoke to the machinist today. He's done with the diagnostic.

He is 100% sure the problem is with the #5 bearing. The bearing sits too far rearward, due to the locater tangs. This combined with an aftermarket forged crankshaft with the large fillet radius resulted in catastrophe.

"Too far rearward" as compared with an older Clevite bearing and modern FM bearing. The older Clevite bearing is defined as when they still ground the tear-drop relief in the #4 thrust face. That older series Clevite bearings and FM bearings would be no problem with a new aftermarket forged crankshaft. Of note, Clevite's new 10 under #5 bearing is equally problematic too, not just standard size.

The Clevite sales representative has visited the shop to view the problem and the machinist has emailed them some photos. The representative is scheduled to return to his shop in 1-2 weeks.

The machinist has set up my block, a series of crankshafts, and a series of bearings to run through the issue with them as a proper experiment. He is re-align honing the block later this week, but will pause after that so as to keep the set up pure for the testing.

Of note, he has some stock Pontiac cranks, Scat 400/455 cranks, and an Eagle crank he measured and the after market cranks (including mine) are 0.005-0.006 thousandth longer and therefore my endplay is fine, but rubbing up against the #5 bearing, not the thrust bearing. If I had tested end play with a stock crank, it would have been too tight. I don't know if I am communicating that correctly, but something along those lines.

He has reground my crankshaft 10 under, and there is no issue now, as the fillet radius is reduced from that.

The shrapnel in the oil pan is from the bearing, he doesn't see any issue with my block, but I told him I thought I saw a piece missing in a photo which is another photo illusion.

The collapsed spark plugs remain a mystery. He says there is no sign of mechanical interference and those cylinders show no sign of combustion having every occured. His best guess is a dropped them before install and they bent in. I told him no, that didn't happen, but there is no other explaination.

I'm going to contact Butler to see what relied I can get from their side and make them aware. I'll also start ordering parts.