sacrileger
Proven Member
- 288
- 43
- Jun 26, 2016
-
Orillia,
ON_Canada
I could not resist buying a 1992 n/t, 5spd Talon w/ 100K miles on it for $400. Lady owned since new and she kept all receipts since the day she bought it. The driver side frame was completely gone but the motor appeared to be in excellent shape. I checked the compression, 174 - 169psi hi to lo, and leak down test was on average 8% loss. I rechecked compression and leak down in my garage and got the same figures. The engine starts, runs and revs like new. Simply exceptional mechanically. I took the engine out and was going to drop it into my other project car once I changed timing belt, timing gears and clutch. I noticed the wheels were turning at a good clip when the car was propped up and idling in neutral. I figured the clutch was dragging.
As I was taking the belts off, the crankshaft moved outwards. I rechecked and could not believe it:
Once I took the cover off, I put a dial indicator to it and measured 0.065" endplay:
I think this is a severe case of crankwalk! The thrust bearings are probably gone. Given the history of this car/engine, I am completely ruling out thrust bearings failing due to assembly mistake, misalignment, oil starvation, contamination/dirt, abused or neglected engine, not finished crankshaft thrust surface, faulty
crankshaft surface geometry, etc. but I am betting that the lady was either riding the clutch pedal or the clutch was not properly adjusted which could've held the throw-out bearing against the pressure plate and putting forward pressure on the crank, pushing against the rear side of the thrust bearing; thus, destroying the bearings. The spinning wheels while in neutral would be a good indication not all was ok.
My question is this: what is the diagnosis and what wall thickness are the thrust bearings? I hope it is not metal on metal at this point with 0.065" endplay. Can there be any other explanation?
I have looked at these thrust bearings but cannot make out the wall thickness from their data:
https://tinyurl.com/y7w5cg7k
https://tinyurl.com/ybulc6d6
How severe is 0.065" endplay and is there a chance some of the bearing will be still left there?
As I was taking the belts off, the crankshaft moved outwards. I rechecked and could not believe it:
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Once I took the cover off, I put a dial indicator to it and measured 0.065" endplay:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
I think this is a severe case of crankwalk! The thrust bearings are probably gone. Given the history of this car/engine, I am completely ruling out thrust bearings failing due to assembly mistake, misalignment, oil starvation, contamination/dirt, abused or neglected engine, not finished crankshaft thrust surface, faulty
crankshaft surface geometry, etc. but I am betting that the lady was either riding the clutch pedal or the clutch was not properly adjusted which could've held the throw-out bearing against the pressure plate and putting forward pressure on the crank, pushing against the rear side of the thrust bearing; thus, destroying the bearings. The spinning wheels while in neutral would be a good indication not all was ok.
My question is this: what is the diagnosis and what wall thickness are the thrust bearings? I hope it is not metal on metal at this point with 0.065" endplay. Can there be any other explanation?
I have looked at these thrust bearings but cannot make out the wall thickness from their data:
https://tinyurl.com/y7w5cg7k
https://tinyurl.com/ybulc6d6
How severe is 0.065" endplay and is there a chance some of the bearing will be still left there?