urgent rod bearing question

[89SHELBY]

OK, my car started knocking so I decided to look at the rod bearings. I currently have bearings from cylinders 1 and 4 out and they are definately beginning to wear (bit of copper showing) However, the crank seems to be free of scratches/grooves. So I am going to put in new rod bearings this morning when I get an answer...

Question is this:
I pulled the 1 and 4 rod caps, and it seems like one is backwards. The groove that the bearing sits in was different between the two (one facing forward / one backward). Just wondering what the proper way for them to be on there is?

[22dodge]

biggest and most important issue is that the rod cap is properly installed on the rod (bearing lock tangs both on the same side). additionally has this engine been previously rebuilt? did someone install the whole assembly backwards? this creates some problem as the wrist pin is offset and installing the piston backwards can cause issues. However back in my racing days I experimented with purposely installing the piston backwards to change rod angle, however the engine had a slight noise increase (piston slap) but no gain in power or torque was evident.

[89SHELBY]

I bought this car at 197000km and I don't know what the service history of it is. However, both pistons have the lock on the same side, it is the caps that do not.

So if I just put the one backwards cap on so that the two tabs are together it should be ok?

[89SHELBY]

anyone else? I want to get this back together this morning.

[bmxrider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89SHELBY I bought this car at 197000km and I don't know what the service history of it is. However, both pistons have the lock on the same side, it is the caps that do not. So if I just put the one backwards cap on so that the two tabs are together it should be ok?

make sure you have the rod all the way down and look in the hanyes manual for torquing specs. different years veries. when you put the rod caps back on, make sure the tabs are on the same side AND lube the bearings. hope this helps.

[89SHELBY]

just one more question... is it good enough just to coat the bearing surface with fresh oil or should I get some proper assembly lube?

[TurboXT]

i have used just oil once when i put new bearings in my car. nothing went wrong, that was like 10k miles ago

[22dodge]

I use a 50/50 mix of 10W engine oil and STP oil treament for assembly lube. what is mean by the bearing lock tabs is they MUST be on the same side or at the same rod bolt. I have seen many STUPID back yard hacks put the rod cap on backwards. some lasted a couple thousand miles before failure and some locked the engine up when trying to start.

[89SHELBY]

I just got my rod bearings on and all the caps went back on the same rod they came off and also the tabs are on the same side so all should be well. Just need to get the oil pan on.

[gakali]

Theres a small oil hole on top of the big end of the rod. This is how the major thrust side of the cylinder is lubed. Its possible to have the piston in correctly and just the rod backwards. Cylinder wall lubing would be comprimised with the rod backwards.

[mo' parts]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89SHELBY I just got my rod bearings on and all the caps went back on the same rod they came off and also the tabs are on the same side so all should be well. Just need to get the oil pan on.

update??
i may be doing the same thing. mine has a very faint knock that just started.
it was a back up motor that i put in, only to find a busted #1, replaced that..all was good... then oil pump died, drove it maybe 1/8 mile before i noticed no press, changed the pump.. 100 miles later i hear the knock
i just cant win.... i have a set of new bearings here, for my motor thats at the shop...thinking i may just toss them in.
hope all turns out good for you. did you plastigauge them??

[iloveshelbys]

isnt just changing the bearings one of the worst thing you could do??...the bearings are wearing away so that means there is the metal form the bearings still in the engine causing the same damage as before right?

[bmxrider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89SHELBY just one more question... is it good enough just to coat the bearing surface with fresh oil or should I get some proper assembly lube?

the reason why you should put oil on the bearing when you install them is that when you start up, theres no oil press. until you get it started. dont afraid to put too much lube, more is better. also, another tip for changing bearings, make the hole on the rod, the hole the lubes the cyc wall, is cleaned and has no dirt in it. it can clog up.

[MrBelvedere]

you had better replace the main bearings while your in it or you may just be right back into it