engine building crew: how do I know what size main and rod bearings to get?
 

and thrust washers too. I can get standard, +10, and +20.


Doesn't the guy at the machine shop need to figure this out, rather than pre-ordering?

If there is no machine work to be done standard is the shit if there is then measure after it is done i assume the shortblock you have has no damage right.

I still don't have one. Since I'm going with a 99/00 motor, do I need to provision anything to take care of the dreded main problem?

If you're having an engine builder do the work, then YES - it's his job to measure the crank and choose the bearings. That's what you're paying for.

If you're paying for the work to be done, then you're paying for the builder to deal with it for you.

Search on miata.net for the 99-00 thrust bearing problem for the fix.

like it has been said, if the crank is scuffed, scratched, or otherwise damaged a little it will need to be ground down a bit and need an oversized bearing. Bearing sets will include the thrust washer and I was under the impression that the main reason for any problems was that the factory supplied the motors with thrust washers that were too small and allowed too much tolerance.

Markp or some of the NB guys would know, maybe pm them.

I'm just letting the machine shop guy fuck with it. Minus whale go in there like a baller.