I don't want to seem like a dumba$$, but how do I get the rear main bearing inserted? I tried gently tapping with a rubber mallet but it didn't seem to want to slip in, so I stopped. The front and center went right in, although I didn't take pictures when I dis***embled it (duh), so I'm not 100% sure I have the caps in the correct locations. Should the front cap have those ridges or is this the center cap?
The rear main bearing is different between the 8ba and 59a, I think it was a width difference. I say the cap with the dot goes to number 1 along with the bolts with recess in the heads.
You got the bearings mixed up I think. The rear bearing has the thrust flanges. It should be in the centre.
The cap with the raised ridges should be in the center, not the front as you have it. The locking tang on the rear main bearing is wider on late 48s and through 1953, otherwise the width and diameters are the same. Have you tried both rear bearing inserts into the rear main cap?
On my engine the cap with the raised flangie bits goes in the front (the pulley side). As you can see the bolt holes on this cap are not centered, so this cap cannot be installed in the center, ie, dimension A is larger than B. The center cap, however, has bolt holes centered.
My rear bearing insert may be for an 8BA motor. The flanges on the insert are 0.010" narrower than the width of the block where the insert goes. But, the insert fits the cap. This is consistent with some research I did which indicates the insert will fit the cap but not the block if 8BA inserts are used for a 59A block (mine).
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