Crankshaft Friction

Another engine shot, this is the rather interesting piece of metal that holds the crankshaft in place (with a few more of them), these are quite amazingly shaped to fit into a very chunk steel holder and to allow some oil in. It's just quite amazing when you consider how much friction is between the crankshaft to these plates and their life length. I'm guessing it's a nickel alloyed hardened steel though that's only a guess (my strength isn't materials).