Lemme run an idea past you...

[93rev2sev]

As many know, I am "refurbishing" my 3.2 before I drop it in to my MTX. I am replacing all the seals, and cleaning the block and heads the best I can without disassembing the long block (which is in great shape internally)

I will also be swapping in some new rod bearings.

I thought about doing the rod bearings first and getting the bottom end sealed up with new gaskets for the mains and oil pump to block surface.

Now, I am leaning towards waiting to swap the bearings until after the engine is installed. The logic behind this is...try as I might, it will be impossible to keep the engine completely dirt and dust free inside. The first startup could provide the potential for scratched bearings.

I might as well run the engine a bit with the old bearings and then change the oil and filter a couple of times before swapping bearings. I want to give the new bearings a nice clean engine.

Does this make sence?

 

[fstfwd]

It wouldn't make sence to me. How do you think you would be getting dust and dirt inside the motor? I could kind of see it if you are just installing the shortblock, and then putting the heads on in the car, but even then you keep everything covered and cleaned up before installing the heads. I've put in a lot of rebuilt engines and have never had a problem. Stuff rags in every opening until you are ready to bolt on the appr. part. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[St Louis SHO]

agreed

 

[warmonger]

i think what he meant was,he's worried that the cylinder walls are rusty because it had been sitting for awhile before he bought it. So he doesnt want to put new bearings in for the initial startup because the rust is only going to be "cleaned"off the walls by the rings and mixed with the oil...possibly damaging his newly replaced bearings???? did i understand that right?

 

[Paul]

IMO now would be the time to change out the rod bearings.`I doubt the inside of the cylinder walls developed any rust just sitting in a closed crankcase. it would be a opportunity to pre **** the lower cylinder walls with some **** such as JB80 that will hang on the suface a little. I would find it hard for much moisture to find its way to the topside of the piston either. once you start cranking this engine over it will squirt oil up the cylinders.

 

[Paul]

I would also look down the intake ports to see how much build up is on the lower valve stems. This is a flow restriction. If so I'd consider removing the heads to dissassemble clean the valves & ports & lap in the valves.