Engine Bottom End inspection

Jerry McConnell

Jerry McConnell

Member
I dropped my oil pan since I already had my Tudoor on stands to replace the king pins. I really was surprised at how clean the inside of the oil pan was, hardly any sludge. The car had set for years before I got, and the odometer reads 94,000 miles. I used some Lucas oil products after I got the car running and changed the oil once. What checks can I make with the pan removed? I don't see any obvious looseness or damage; nothing laying in the bottom of the pan. The rods have axial play. Jerry
 
You don't say the "oil diet" your engine has been on - detergent (I would guess this) or non-detergent?

Whatever you've been doing - keep doing it.

Some axial play is AOK (hey, that rhymes!) Maybe up to 25 (thou) play is the way to stay? 10 (thou) on the crank. (Sorry, I'm pushing my luck here - and not an english major.)

Joe K
 
Since the pan is off, you could check the bearings clearances. But, its quite a bit of work,so, if the engine ran nice and quiet you may not want to do it. I don't mind doing it.
 
Checking the rod journal clearances is much easier than the bearings, use plastigage and it is fast and simple, just make sure to torque the rod cover correctly when you reassemble. I think that rod clearances can give you some indicator of what your crank shaft bearing clearances might be.
 
Well, my opinion is that the con rods are pretty big and beefy plus the way they are fed results in a lot of pressure along with a good quantity of oil.
I have found the center and rear mains to wear the most due to the size, limited number of them, the way they get oil, and, the stress from that great big ole flywheel.
But, its just my opinion so its probably wrong.
 
Look at the center main and see if you can see any babbit squishing out the side. If you see any, then you may want to remove the main caps for further inspection. The rear main is the easiest to remove because the bolt heads are locked from turning by a flat side.
 
Tom, My #2 rod cap Babbitt thrust surface has some missing areas, and the axial play is .015. Can I continue to use for a period of time? I didn't see any Main bearing issues.
 
Jerry McConnell said:
Tom, My #2 rod cap Babbitt thrust surface has some missing areas, and the axial play is .015. Can I continue to use for a period of time? I didn't see any Main bearing issues.
Click to expand...

Did you measure and adjust the clearance for the rods?
If it's within specs I'd keep running it, unless you have some other reason to pull the engine..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top