Help me replace rod bearings...

[tbird]

I need some tips on replacing rods bearings.. have rod knock but I dont have the funds right now for a rebuild and need a car for work... Can i replace the bearings while the engine is still in the car.. will this temporarly help..... plz help thanks

 

[tbird]

also should i just replace the rod bearings or should i replace main and rod bearings and can i do this wihtout touching the timing belt I would like to get this done in an afternoon...

 

[SrKegler]

Yes you can replace rod bearing and main bearings without pulling the engine. It is not a reliable fix though.

There is a lot more to the job than just replacing the bearings. You still need to get the journals smooth or it will just rip the new bearing out. Just by having to ask makes me question your mechanical abilities. Not something I would recommend a novice try the first time out.

You main bearings are even trickier to install with the crank still in the engine. You have to loosen the bearing caps just enough to rotate the new bearing around the journal while pushing the old bearing out. Chances are you will bend or crush a couple of them in the process so buy extras.

If I were you though I would be trying to find out why I had a rod knocking in the first place. The bottom end of our engines are almost bullet proof. Takes a lot of abuse, a lot of miles, or a loss of oil pressure to lose bearings.

If your engine has a lot of miles on it (150,000), it is probably time for a complete rebuild anyhow. Pull the engine and rebuild it correctly.

Time wise, you are probably looking at a good 8 hours work pulling the oil pan, replacing the rod bearings, torqing them back down. Add in another 2 hours if you decide to replace the main bearings at the same time. Hardest problem with the main bearings is getting them torqued correctly. Using the long extension to reach the caps throws off the readings on the torque wrench. Can't remember by how much, seems to me like 10% but I'm not positive.

 

[tbird]

I did a compression test and got 140-145 across the board.. It seems mabey someone lost an oil filter or somthing and spun #3 bearing all the rest of them are fine.... So im just ognna replace #3 rod bearing and see if itll last hopefully 1000 miles so I can get some money up for a shortblock....