bearings contd....
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 378
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bearings contd....
group
since i am about ready to torque the new rod bearings in my 74 360 i was wondering something here. if the rod bearings showed wear down to the copper (moreso on the top half) would it prudent to replace the mains?? would the mains have taken a beating too? IM replaceing the rod bearings with new ones and swapping in a new melling pump to round out the package. what do u think---disturb the mains or not? (i didnt look at em yet) by the way--what is the torgue setting for the rod bolts--im using all new ARP hardware as well. THANKS
ben
since i am about ready to torque the new rod bearings in my 74 360 i was wondering something here. if the rod bearings showed wear down to the copper (moreso on the top half) would it prudent to replace the mains?? would the mains have taken a beating too? IM replaceing the rod bearings with new ones and swapping in a new melling pump to round out the package. what do u think---disturb the mains or not? (i didnt look at em yet) by the way--what is the torgue setting for the rod bolts--im using all new ARP hardware as well. THANKS
ben
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 270
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bearings contd....
Ben,
I would at least check them. If the engine is in the vehicle it is harder, but not impossible. If the engine is in the vehicle you will need to loosen each main two turns, but only remove one of the caps at a time. I would just pull one of the caps first to see how much wear there is. You can make a little tool out of a cotter pin to remove the upper bearing half. the looped end of the cotter pin goes in the oil hole on the crank, the other ends are bent in opposite directions. Looks kit a "T" with the bottom bent a a slight angle. Trial and error will get the angle right. You just put it in the bearing hole after removing the main cap and then using a 15/16" socket turn the crank. This will roll the upper bearing half out.
Some of the more experienced members will be able to give you more in depth explanation.
bob
I would at least check them. If the engine is in the vehicle it is harder, but not impossible. If the engine is in the vehicle you will need to loosen each main two turns, but only remove one of the caps at a time. I would just pull one of the caps first to see how much wear there is. You can make a little tool out of a cotter pin to remove the upper bearing half. the looped end of the cotter pin goes in the oil hole on the crank, the other ends are bent in opposite directions. Looks kit a "T" with the bottom bent a a slight angle. Trial and error will get the angle right. You just put it in the bearing hole after removing the main cap and then using a 15/16" socket turn the crank. This will roll the upper bearing half out.
Some of the more experienced members will be able to give you more in depth explanation.
bob
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
bearings contd....
Well you gotta figure it costs about 50 bucks to replace the main bearings and a couple more to replace the rear main seal. From what I have seen mains and rods wear at about the same rate. If you have the money I would definitely do it.
