Changing main and rod bearings...

[gerber1125]

Hi
Is changing the main and rod bearings a hard process? Because I never did it before.
Also, is there any special tools needed in order to take apart/reassemble the rings?
And finally, can this be done with the engine in the car, or does it need to come out?

I have to take it out anyways, so if it is easier to do with the engine out of car, let me know.

any other useful info will help here

thanks, Justin

[Shelby85Charger]

Justin,
I'm not trying to be an a$$. But if you need to ask these type of questions. Don't even waste your time. I thought your father knew about motors and building them.

To answer your question, YES you can do all that work with the block in the car BUT. It is a pain in the butt.

You don't just bolt things together, you have to check ALL clearances, torque every bolt. Yes you do need a Ring Compressor for the rings.

GOOD LUCK!!

[gerber1125]

why tracy?
can't someone that isn't familiar with a certain allowed to ask questions to clarify something? Gosh, i didn't think ONLY people that were perfect at everything were the only ones allowed to work on cars. You know, not everyone knows everything about everything and may have a question down the road. So for you to say something like don't even waste your time, is quite rude and pathetic on your part if you don't mind me saying.
and yes, you're right, my dad does know everything about cars and building them. Did i get a chance to talk to him yet about this, NO, so what does he have to do with anything at all?
can't a person just be polite and answer the question at hand without getting personal. Man, for some, it's just never enough.

but ya, thanks for the informative part...

[MachineHead]

Taking the engine out of the car would save a lot of time. It is possible to do this with it in the car, but infinitely easier when it is out. Rod bearings are easy to do with the engine in, it is the main bearings that are a pain.

[Shelby85Charger]

Justin,
Do what you feel you need to do, have fun. Ask all the questions you need to. But remember you blew up a perfectly gopod motor before. When I started, i stood next to someone that knew what was what before I started wrenching. Talk to dad!! Remember to prime the pump before you start the motor this time.

One more item, assembly LUBE!!

For someone that has 1100 plus posts on TD.com I would think you would know more. It shows you need to step away from the computer from time to time.

Have fun and happy wrenching.

[gerber1125]

You sound like Dr. Phil


thanks Machinehead

[Shelby85Charger]

Dr. Phil calls me when he needs advice.

[ForceFed Wraith]

I'm currently installing new rod bearings with my motor in the car. And yes, it is a major pain in the a$$. And thats with the transmission, radiator, alternator, waterpump and the head off the car.

- It is very hard to keep everything clean, especially when it starts raining outside and all the moisture travels in the garrage.

- Its also hard working upside down and having all the dirt and rust and sometimes bearing caps falling in your face. If I were to do this again, I will definitely take the extra hour and pull the engine out of the bay.

Now I have a question of my own to add; when re-installing the rod bearing caps, which way do they go? Each cap has a recess for the bearing ... Does this stay on the same side as the recess on the rod or on the opposite side?

The haynes manual shows the side of the rods should match, but on my rods, both sides look symmetrical from the outside. Any suggestions?

[GLHandGTS]

You're supposed to mark the ends of the caps and the ends of the rods w/ a punch, usually.

I put one mark on #1, two on #2, etc. That way the ends of the caps and rods are matched in direction and cylinder number.