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Install bearing with engine in car?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
Install bearing with engine in car?
Some old dude with a 66 bib block told me I could change the bearings with the ingine in my car.... He used to be an old school drag racer and restores vette and camaros for his retirement.. he said I'd be able to do it in one evening? does that sound realistic or a good Idea?
hmmm,
hmmm,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
It's a huge PIA, you have to pick the motor up, take everything off the front, drop the pan, take the rod caps off, take the crank out, If changing the bearings, you really need to have the rods resized, and the crank ground, if they are spun now and you dont do the machine work, you'll spin them again
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
I don't think I have any bearings that are spun.. Just low oil pressure issues...
Is it easier to pull the engine?
Is it easier to pull the engine?
It's a huge PIA, you have to pick the motor up, take everything off the front, drop the pan, take the rod caps off, take the crank out, If changing the bearings, you really need to have the rods resized, and the crank ground, if they are spun now and you dont do the machine work, you'll spin them again
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Some old dude with a 66 bib block told me I could change the bearings with the ingine in my car.... He used to be an old school drag racer and restores vette and camaros for his retirement.. he said I'd be able to do it in one evening? does that sound realistic or a good Idea?
hmmm,
hmmm,
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 8
From: Hollywood FL
Iv'e done this job before and it's not that bad. You will need to disconnect the idler arm and remove the starter in order to drop the oil pan. Then just remove the caps one at a time. To get the upper half of each bearing out you need to tap one side with a small screwdriver to start it and then rotate it out the other side. Just be very careful not to nick the crank. Also, while you're in there you can either replace the oil pump or install a high pressure spring in it. As long as there is no damage to the crank that should solve your oil pressure problems. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Iv'e done this job before and it's not that bad. You will need to disconnect the idler arm and remove the starter in order to drop the oil pan. Then just remove the caps one at a time. To get the upper half of each bearing out you need to tap one side with a small screwdriver to start it and then rotate it out the other side. Just be very careful not to nick the crank. Also, while you're in there you can either replace the oil pump or install a high pressure spring in it. As long as there is no damage to the crank that should solve your oil pressure problems.
tedious, but you need drop the crank a few MM...not a biggie with all the rods and mains outta there...just make sure to use lotsa assy lube...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
So ..
So if my compression seems good... and this resolves my oil pressure issue (I'm paranoid to put heads on the thing with 25 psi hot oil pressure) The I can put some mild heads on and finish my exhaust plans and use the engine I already have??
thanks
thanks
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
i did it in a 318 mopar and it was done in one afternoon
and that included plastic gauging to make sure they were
all within tolerence.
that was 10 years ago and as of last year the engine was
still making 1/4 mile passes at englishtown in an old dodge pickup.
and that included plastic gauging to make sure they were
all within tolerence.
that was 10 years ago and as of last year the engine was
still making 1/4 mile passes at englishtown in an old dodge pickup.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
well/
Well I suppose the most stressful part would be to not damage the crank... and if I did I guess I'd just have to pull the engine and have her done over.......hehehehe
I suppose it's a win win hehehehehe
........................................ ...........
Any other advise?
thanks
I suppose it's a win win hehehehehe
........................................ ...........
Any other advise?
thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Well I suppose the most stressful part would be to not damage the crank... and if I did I guess I'd just have to pull the engine and have her done over.......hehehehe
I suppose it's a win win hehehehehe
........................................ ...........
Any other advise?
thanks
I suppose it's a win win hehehehehe
........................................ ...........
Any other advise?
thanks
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
Good point, rotate the upper bearing so that the notch side comes out first. I did it in my 70 vette years ago with no problem. I used stock bearings and did plastigage them to see how I was clearance wise. I was in spec but on the top end with stock bearings.
If you try to be too perfect on your clearances with a crank and rods that have not been ground or resized you could have issues as was stated earlier.
If you try to be too perfect on your clearances with a crank and rods that have not been ground or resized you could have issues as was stated earlier.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
What do you mean "try to be perfect? arent the torq specs just a static figure?
thanks
timg
if my engine is indeed all originla (and I'm fairly certain it is)
all I need are standard bearings right? what brand is best?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You say you're changing bearings because of "low" oil pressure. Then you indicate that you have 25 psi "hot". Is that at idle or revved up? If you have 10 psi at idle and 25 psi when revved, you may just need to go to a heavier oil or to a higher pressure oil pump spring; the bearings may have nothing wrong with them. In any case, if you are going to start down the "bearing change" route, drop the oil pan and remove one bearing cap to see what the bearings look like before you pull your engine. You may just be wasting your time.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 833
Likes: 4
From: Mexico NY
The car has about 82k on it and the oil pressure is generally on the first "line" of my gauge.... the one at 10:00 o'clock...
how many psi is that? whe it is rewved it does go up.. it never reaches
over 12:30...
should I simply try thicker oil?
or perhaps synthetic?
thanks
timg
how many psi is that? whe it is rewved it does go up.. it never reaches
over 12:30...
should I simply try thicker oil?
or perhaps synthetic?
thanks
timg