Rod bearings done at 185,800 (56k, not today)

[Racer X]

Things I learned:
- You will break at least one exhaust manifold stud, no matter how red you can make it glow. A cutoff wheel, a 3/8th's tap, and a titanium 5/16th's drill bit are your friends when this happens.
- You will bash your finger drilling the front manifold.
- The oil pan will cause you to say several swear words upon it's reinstallation.
- Your engine won't knock upon cold startup anymore once this is done.
- No matter how many times you remind yourself not to do it again, you will hit your head on the same arm on the lift several more times.
- I forget. Refer to the above point...
- This sucker definitely comes in handy:

If you haven't done your rod bearings, and your drive your SHO hard, do them. A couple of them were really worn, and just waiting for one to go for a spin in the journal. A saturday invested doing this saved me from a weekend (and a lot of $$$) swapping in a new engine.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Good job!

Looks as though they were definately due :corn:

Ive never broken an exhaust stud, but I definately agree about the oil pan fun

 

[Ishodu]

They look bad. I haven't seen a set where the bottom half was worn that much. Good job on getting them changed before you spun one.

 

[Racer X]

Yeah, all the OMG! faces at the meet and greet when I started it up and had the "no oil pressure yet" knock was a small indication that it might be time to take care of this soon. It's about what I expected with the mileage and the condition of the car when I got it.

But all is good now.

 

[Ace]

Yeah, all the OMG! faces at the meet and greet when I started it up and had the "no oil pressure yet" knock was a small indication that it might be time to take care of this soon. It's about what I expected with the mileage and the condition of the car when I got it.

But all is good now.

now you have no excuse not to come to the next breakfast next week

 

[Racer X]

now you have no excuse not to come to the next breakfast next week

Sure I do! It's called a Front 60k!

I'll try and get it done on Saturday so I can be there on Sunday.

 

[KentuckySHOoff]

i want to do mine need to so freaking bad but scared to do it myself

 

[kickeralpine]

before you did them did you have a sliight knock or ticking when shifting from frist to second

 

[Racer X]

before you did them did you have a sliight knock or ticking when shifting from frist to second

No, but when starting in the am or after sitting for a long time, there was a slight knock before the oil pressure built up.

 

[Rockledge]

i want to do mine need to so freaking bad but scared to do it myself

You can do it. It's not that hard a job, and there are several writeups available and threads with tips in them to help you. Just take your time.

Replacing rod bearings IMO has to be the most cost effective maintenance prodecure for any SHO over 125K or so. Money-wise, the return value can't be beat. Not to mention the peace-of-mind that comes with it.

 

[N3FOL]

You can do it. It's not that hard a job, and there are several writeups available and threads with tips in them to help you. Just take your time.

Replacing rod bearings IMO has to be the most cost effective maintenance prodecure for any SHO over 125K or so. Money-wise, the return value can't be beat. Not to mention the peace-of-mind that comes with it.

I would like to do my own as well, but the part where you take off the journal? or do a plastigage. etc. inside just does not make sense to me. I video just like the 60K is what I really need. Right now, I am waiting for someone to come up with the rod bearing replacement video. PLease let me know, if a video is available in the near future. Thanks.

 

[TYSHO]

i want to do mine need to so freaking bad but scared to do it myself

I've done some, but I must say I always fear the rod bolt head stripping. I had 2 strip on me in my 93 and it was a b**** finding someone who had spares and then to dremel off the nuts.

I recommend using a 1/2 impact gun to get those suckers off fast, with out worries....they just bust loose.

 

[Racer X]

How could you have possibly stripped the heads of those nuts? Steady pressure with a 13mm socket and a 3/8th's handle and I was good to go. Putting them back on was a breeze also; I used a click type torque wrench.

 

[squidlips]

"No matter how many times you remind yourself not to do it again, you will hit your head on the same arm on the lift several more times."

I like that one. I always manage to miss it but my father gets it everytime.

before you did them did you have a sliight knock or ticking when shifting from frist to second

Mine knocked just as you would be comming on or off the gas easy like between normal shifts. When you really got on it the noise was either not there or drowned out. When mine went it went big style. I would get some bearings. It's not a big job and it's kinda cheap. I waited too long, knock..knock went BANG! On the bright side it is a great way to rationlaize a 3.2.

 

[DVJ38]

Mine knocked just as you would be comming on or off the gas easy like between normal shifts. When you really got on it the noise was either not there or drowned out. When mine went it went big style. I would get some bearings. It's not a big job and it's kinda cheap. I waited too long, knock..knock went BANG! On the bright side it is a great way to rationlaize a 3.2.

Mine knock when I start the car, at idle sometimes, when I shut down, and between shifts. I only drove it back from the shop then to work and back today. I'm done driving it untill I replace them! How long did it take to blow your engine with this knocking.

Do you guys think it's too late? Or can I change them and my motor last "forever" after this without knocking again or spinning a bearing? Maybe a 3.2 swap is in order soon. But for now I will deffintly change the bearings.

I'm looking on RCM, they have a few different bearings. Clevite rod bearing set and Clevite main bearing set. Which do I need, would I be better off doing both? What else do I need, just an oil pan kit?

Can't wait to change them!

 

[SHOtimer]

Mine knock when I start the car, at idle sometimes, when I shut down, and between shifts. I only drove it back from the shop then to work and back today. I'm done driving it untill I replace them! How long did it take to blow your engine with this knocking.

Do you guys think it's too late? Or can I change them and my motor last "forever" after this without knocking again or spinning a bearing? Maybe a 3.2 swap is in order soon. But for now I will deffintly change the bearings.

I'm looking on RCM, they have a few different bearings. Clevite rod bearing set and Clevite main bearing set. Which do I need, would I be better off doing both? What else do I need, just an oil pan kit?

Can't wait to change them!

If it is not a constant, hard steady knocking you are probably early enough to prevent any major damage. You need rod bearings and an oil pan kit. They sell rod bearing kits, that have everything to do the rod bearing job including all the necessary gaskets. I wouldn't drive it much untill you get this done.

http://www.kurtmetros.com/bearings.html

Doug

 

[kickeralpine]

thanks for the info guys im doing bearings in morning also if it sits for a day or two when i start it up it has slite knock till oil gets to the top end i quess so for piece of mind im doing the bearings

 

[DVJ38]

Would you guys recomend doing the main bearings also? How much harder is it? Do I need to do them?

 

[squidlips]

Mine knock when I start the car, at idle sometimes, when I shut down, and between shifts. I only drove it back from the shop then to work and back today. I'm done driving it untill I replace them! How long did it take to blow your engine with this knocking.

Do you guys think it's too late? Or can I change them and my motor last "forever" after this without knocking again or spinning a bearing? Maybe a 3.2 swap is in order soon. But for now I will deffintly change the bearings.

I'm looking on RCM, they have a few different bearings. Clevite rod bearing set and Clevite main bearing set. Which do I need, would I be better off doing both? What else do I need, just an oil pan kit?

Can't wait to change them!

Mine sounded alot like an octane ping at first. I drove maybe 200 miles like that. Then when I started the car to go home one evening the noise was much more pronounced. Mile 22 of my 25 mile commute and Bam! I limped it home but the damage was done. You may just need the rod bearings the mains on mine were fine with 230k miles on the engine, but it's not like they are expensive and you'll be in there anyway so...