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Main bearings...

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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 11:08 PM
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Main bearings...

The truck was ran low on oil and has a knock that seems to be coming from the oil pan. I'm assuming that's most likely the rod bearings (those are the same as main bearings, no?) and was wondering if it's possible to swap bearings through the oil pan? The engine is a 460.
 
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Old Oct 23, 2018 | 11:18 PM
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Rods and mains are different. You can swap through the pan, but it will be a pain in the neck. IF you can get the pan out without halfway pulling the motor.

And it will be a gamble. If you spun a bearing, it's all over. That one has to come out and be resized. So now you have the manifold and head off, and the oil pan, and the motor jacked up a bit...

Anyway, if you can, pull the pan and pull all the bearings before you buy new bearings. If you find a spun bearing, imo, pull the motor and do a proper rebuild. Or at least you'll know if it's one head or two.

Do not mix up bearing caps.

Good luck.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 05:59 AM
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Pulling the pan with the motor in the truck is doable but a big PITA. And,you can't change out the main bearings that way anyway.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 06:45 AM
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But you can change out the rod bearings that way?
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 12:33 PM
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Rods yes. Mains only if you want to suffer. Mains can be inspected but the crank is not going to move out of the way without the transmission etc being pulled out and the front cover being removed.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Briansshop
Pulling the pan with the motor in the truck is doable but a big PITA. And,you can't change out the main bearings that way anyway.
You can do the rods and mains in the truck, You have to pull the pan and the rods are easy, The mains you have to do what they call roll them in. You use a cotter pin and flatten the round head. put it in the oil hole in crank and turn crank in the PROPER direction to catch the bearing and roll it out. Make sure your cotter pin is flat enough not to hit the main bearing area of the block. Have done many this way. BUT it is a PITA like they said. But as the guys said if you have a spun bearing your out of luck.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by moose4x4
You can do the rods and mains in the truck, You have to pull the pan and the rods are easy, The mains you have to do what they call roll them in. You use a cotter pin and flatten the round head. put it in the oil hole in crank and turn crank in the PROPER direction to catch the bearing and roll it out. Make sure your cotter pin is flat enough not to hit the main bearing area of the block. Have done many this way. BUT it is a PITA like they said. But as the guys said if you have a spun bearing your out of luck.
Everyone has a different way of getting things done for sure. I'll pass on that method. I'd actually pass on all of them and pull the motor.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Briansshop
Everyone has a different way of getting things done for sure. I'll pass on that method. I'd actually pass on all of them and pull the motor.
Me too now, Getting to old to mess with that any more.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 07:04 PM
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Only if you have to work in mud with a small flashlight, on a hill in the rain, with a truck load of people sitting inside asking when you will be done.
 
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Old Oct 24, 2018 | 09:37 PM
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I've done this several times. And No,it's not fun!

Only thing I would suggest is a brass rivet. Using a brass rivet minimizes the chance of scaring the crank or the saddle the main bearing seats in.

But as was said, it's easier pull the engine out and if you find even one spun bearing, you will have to pull it to rebuild it.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2018 | 09:13 PM
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Rolling in mains makes some sense in big diesels, in things like dozers and trackhoes and pusher RV's.

In a pickup, it's so easy to pull the motor...

t
 
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