[Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
[Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions?
Hey guys.
Since the Vette's top end is being ripped apart, my dad suggested another "while it's down already" to me tonight. The L98 has 166k miles on it. He suggested that I should think about replacing the main and possibly rod bearings if it is easy enough to drop the oil pan. Well the oil pan looks like it can be dropped relatively painlessly. So....
Once the pan is off, how much time are we talking? 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours?
Also, what would you suggest I look into for brand/type. I don't want cheap junk, I want something that will hopefully help extend my bottom end's lifetime a little more. I'm sure there are probably a bazillion options out there, so feel free to hit me with a few.
Since the Vette's top end is being ripped apart, my dad suggested another "while it's down already" to me tonight. The L98 has 166k miles on it. He suggested that I should think about replacing the main and possibly rod bearings if it is easy enough to drop the oil pan. Well the oil pan looks like it can be dropped relatively painlessly. So....
Once the pan is off, how much time are we talking? 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours?
Also, what would you suggest I look into for brand/type. I don't want cheap junk, I want something that will hopefully help extend my bottom end's lifetime a little more. I'm sure there are probably a bazillion options out there, so feel free to hit me with a few.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (scorp508)
Well Scorp, I'm in the same boat as you. because they just told me the bearings on my truck are SHOT. Except the truck is VERY easy to just pull the entire motor. SO, I guess I'll have a project. I think I'm just going to drop a 383 stroker bottom end in (for $1600) It's the original 1975 motor with 176k miles on it, so I guess it's time.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 225
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From: NY
Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (scorp508)
You will be pulling the oil pan to replace the rear main seal anyway. Get the heads off and inspect the cylinder walls first, then decide.
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Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (Corvette_Z51)
This is gettin in depth. By the time you get all this stuff disassembled and lay on your back with oil dripping in your face, you can have the engine out on a stand and you can do it quickly. Pulling the engine is just a few more bolts a this point and will allow you to clean it all up and do it right. You'll be able to clean things much easier.
Even a quickie rebuild and with a flex hone and some good rings and bearings will help your old motor. Once you start filling the cylinders better and power improves, ring seal quickly deteriorates on a high mileage motor usually.
I'd use some Sealed Power .005 rings that you can gap and a good set of brand nale bearings. You don't need the harder H-series type. Use some Clevites or maybe softer Michigans or Vandervelles. It's very common to open a box and find another manufacturers bearings inside. Just stay away from the cheap imported rebuilder type ones.
Even a quickie rebuild and with a flex hone and some good rings and bearings will help your old motor. Once you start filling the cylinders better and power improves, ring seal quickly deteriorates on a high mileage motor usually.
I'd use some Sealed Power .005 rings that you can gap and a good set of brand nale bearings. You don't need the harder H-series type. Use some Clevites or maybe softer Michigans or Vandervelles. It's very common to open a box and find another manufacturers bearings inside. Just stay away from the cheap imported rebuilder type ones.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 0
From: Bucks county Pa
Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (427Hotrod)
You would be inviting more problems just replacing bearings. If your serious about this car you need to pulll the block and get some minor machine shop work done at least. I would have the crank cut and polished re balanced then install .010" oversize bearings. I would replace the hardware, rod bolts etc. would also consider drilling the block for four-bolt mains Since its out. if the cylinders are in decent shape no bad ridges or scores have it checked and honed or you could hone it with the drill attatchment yourself.It would seem pointless to do bearings and not rings too. Just remember when you build the top half for more power the bottom becomes the weak link so whatever isnt new is suspect. Just a suggestion. But it will be like a zero miles car if done right a few days and a few dollars... woohoo. BTW I used clevite bearings in the one rebuild i did (still running thank u)the machine shop reccommended. Best of luck with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (427Hotrod)
I totally agree with 427.
Just pull it and rebuild it.
If I was even going to mess with my short block any more.... after already pulling mine twice, it is way easier to just yank it. even more so with all the stuff you already ripped off it, already off...
Just pull it and rebuild it.
If I was even going to mess with my short block any more.... after already pulling mine twice, it is way easier to just yank it. even more so with all the stuff you already ripped off it, already off...
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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St. Jude Donor '14
Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (427Hotrod)
I agree, at that point your better off pulling the engine out. Makes for a better re-assemble aswell. Clevites have never let me down. make sure to take a good look at the surface on the bearings for any signs of abnormal wear.
If you've been changing your oil regularly, you may still see some of the original honning marks, not unusual. You won't believe some of the stuff I've done to the engine while still in the engine bay, but if you have the patients and time, your better off pulling it. P.S. have a micrometer handy.
If you've been changing your oil regularly, you may still see some of the original honning marks, not unusual. You won't believe some of the stuff I've done to the engine while still in the engine bay, but if you have the patients and time, your better off pulling it. P.S. have a micrometer handy.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Sun City West Az
Re: [Engine Bearings]: How hard to replace? / Suggestions? (scorp508)
I agree with all the above. At this point, I'd pull it too. A good machine shop is a must. It's a case of the "might as wells"...have your cam bearings replaced and have them check the crank bore alignment for trueness...any doubt have it lined bored. I would suggest that you wash it like it was your first born when you get it back with a good set of brushes and be squeeky clean when putting it back together. That's where a lot of guys go wrong.