Main & Rod Bearings
 

Is it possible to change the main and rod bearings without removing the motor? I know on quite a few engines its very possible; but I am unsure with this motor.

Thanks...

may i ask why first?

yes, just prop your car up high enough and you can get at the bottom end of your block. remove the oil pan and tell us what you see.

I'm starting to hear marbles in the bottom... They seem to go away after a few mins...

Bad bearing would defenitley make your oil pressure drop; but would they have anything at all to do with some blue smoke? (I seem to think not; but would like a second opinion)

blue smoke
 

Blue smoke is oil leaking somewhere. Oil can leak thru the valve seals (get ready for some $$$ if you plan on rebuliding that head). Best option is to find a used one and swap it.

A good headstart is to check always your spark plugs. You would be amazed how much you can say about the health of your car by takin a peak to your aprk plugs.

Do the spark plugs look oily? Glossy? signs of oil presence!

Does is smoke more when the engine is cold?

90% of the time is the valve seals, because it is cold the materail shrinks letting oil pass by, after the car heats up the engine componnents expand and prevents oil bypass.


Those marbles you are hearing are the valves clicking from opening and closing. I may be wrong but thats how it sounds like.

good luck, add more info about any other symptoms that you may have ignored or passed unnoticed.

Thanks for the response.

I changed the main & rod bearings yesterday, and my noises went away. But now I'm smoking more than ever!!! It seems to do what you said, smoke an unbelievable amount when cold! I picked up 16 new stem seals from napa this morning, and plan to change them this weekend to see if that remedies my problem.

Tool wise (for the valve stem seals) what have people used? Anything I should be aware of? I'm going into this blind, and don't know what to expect.

I guess you need valve stem pliers... Gotta get me some! What about spring compressor; will some designs not work?

Please write back!

Thanks again.

Many auto parts stores rent the valve compressor or whatever its name, anyway the one for installing the valves. I have never done them.

DO have a cardboard with holes or a nice flat surface so eahc valve goes where is suppose to. They make look similar, but please install EACH one of them to its original spot. This is the same with rods, pistons, head bolts, flywheel nuts, etc. Always put whatever you took out in the same spot, don't matter if there are a dozen identical to it, UNLESS obviously if the part needs to be replaced and you need a new one.

I have read about valve removal and install, any Chilton or Haynes book can help. Try to get an estimate on how much will you be charged in a machine shop. Now that you have it out tell the machine shop to check for cylinder head cracks, if the cylinder head is warped, etc, maybe shave it .010 to have a nice smooth surface. Spend some cash now and prevent any future headaches.