Will a supercharger cause a front bearing to fail? These are new 540s with 10 hours on them and not run real hard. They are supposed to run 5500rpms and have only been 5000rpms.
Thanks for the help guys.

No personal experience, but I have read of that happening. Especially if the blower is wildly overdriven. Like a AA/TF engine.
In fact I recall reading were one engine broke the snout off the front of the crankshaft.

Yes it will if there is not sufficient movement available in the belt tensioner to allow the blower/intake to grow.

If the blower belt is too tight it will take out the bearing pretty fast.

Any excess strain on the frt of the crank can eat up a frt main brg. A common fault is overtightening the belts. What type of belt tensioner does the blower set up use??

Hey Bobby,
Great seeing you at the concert, what I can remember Will you be ready for Cambridge?

Yeah that was a good time there. I really dont remember much about that night. Yes i should be ready for ocean city next week.

Bobby,
Depending on the type of belt drive, yes. If it is a gilmer belt it needs to be a lot looser than you think and checked when hot also. Not only can it kill the front main, but it will end up breaking the crank snout too if run too long.

Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

Well, theres a lot of replies here. I guess my question will be did it eat the entire front main bearing out and if not just the top or just the bottom? If you ate the top one and you are running a blower then as stated it sounds like the blower belt was to tight. If its natural, there may be a crank deflection problem or the balancer is out of wack or something along those issues.

Good luck.

John S.

thomas: THATS UGLY MAN!!!! Did it hurt the boat when the snout broke?