225 Rod bearing oil holes

I've been reading some threads about the oil holes in the rod bearings on the 225 engine. I'm overhauling mine and the new bearings didn't have holes in them for the oil squirters, you know, the hole where the 2 bearing halves meet. I took them back to O'Reilly's and they ordered another set, same thing, no holes. These were Federal Mogul brand bearings. So now I am asking for help from you all. I need a part # and brand of bearing that someone out there has used that has the holes in them for the oil squirters.

 

So, no takers huh? I've been doing some research and came up with 7 other brands of bearings and all of the part numbers. Took them to O'Reillys and they all crossed back to Federal Mogul # 2500RAA which is what I have. O'Reillys called Federal Mogul tech support and they said that those bearings had been updated and that they were the correct ones. He said the wrist pins get plenty of oil from slinging and don't require the holes for the squirters. Has anyone out there used the new style bearings with no holes, and if so, what has been the result? My uncle is a 40 year mechanic, and says if they do cause a problem, I wouldn't see it for 15,000 miles or more. I would think that Federal Mogul should know what they're talking about???? Any thoughts?

 

Well, you'd hope they know what they're talking about. Are these standard bearings? I may have a set of NOS on the shelf, don't know if I have any undersize, I'd have to check. I rebuilt my a 225 for one of mine a couple of years ago but I can't remember if they had the oil holes.

 

Yes, they're standard. I'm gonna do a little more looking tomorrow at some other parts stores, but I'm betting they are all gonna tell me the same thing.

 

The Fed Mogul tech said they had a "Redesign" on those. He doubled checked and said "Yes, that is confirmed, they have been redesigned, and they get enough oil from slinging". It still concerns me though.

 

One could always carefully mark and drill the holes if it was a major concern. You just have to chamfer both sides of the hole, especially the steel backing side where it fits into the rod. That side of the insert has to be absolutely smooth. Don't get over aggressive with the chamfer, just enough to deburr them. Look at the holes in the old inserts for an example. Hotrodders have been modifying bearing inserts for years.

 

I thought about that, but you would somehow need to hold the 2 insert halves together while drilling, since you actually need a half of a hole on each insert. Very tricky at best.

 

I had oil holes in my bearings, on my 1970 225 rebuild last year. I've kept all of the parts boxes. Let me see if I can find you a part number. Might take me a day to find the box

 

Seems the only set of rod bearings are now in my engine . Total long shot but the original part number for standard bearings is 5458595 and an even longer shot are these guys-Sea-Way Marine.

 

what i have is a 1966 buick skylark odd fire 225. the rods have no oil squirters and the bearings had no slot in them. the bearings are pressure lubricated through the crankshaft. they need no relief cuts in the babbit material in the bearing shell. put them in with assembly lube, pressurize the block before start up by spinning the oil pump through the distributor hole and go.

 

My rods did have the squirter groove and its been workin' good for 40 years. After a round table discussion at the local garage, I decided to notch one of the inserts on each rod so it could oil like it has it's whole life. Looks like the old inserts now and is all back together. I'm sure it would have worked just fine without the holes, but I feel better about it with the holes in there. Fixed!! Now on to the next hurdle. Thanks for all of the input