Charper732

So I just sold my stock S and looking at a boosted and built car now. There are ~10k miles on that motor and as preventative maintenance I'd like to go ahead and replace the bottom end bearings in it.

I know doing the rod bearings wouldn't be that bad, but what about doing the mains with the motor still in the car? Do the bolts on the main caps have enough length on them to suspend the crank down in order to pull the block-side main bearing?

Car Analogy

Is that a typo? 10k miles and you're going to change bearings for maintenance???

Regardless of miles I would just wait until there is an issue (if ever) before changing them. There is more risk making things worse, when there isn't even an issue.

Slowcrash_101

You can only replace the lower shells on the mains and the thrust washers with the engine in the car, and to do so, you have to remove the transmission, and support the crankshaft.

I'd get an oil pressure gauge, if you're concerned about bearing wear, and change your oil more frequently, as in follow the severe driving maintenance schedule if you're boosted.

Charper732

Car has been running at 32psi

Charper732

Thanks for the info, the car currently has a oil pressure gauge fitted.

Slowcrash_101

Keep an eye on it, as long as you have oil pressure you're more or less doing OK. If you start seeing drops in pressure then you know you're in trouble.

Chuck S

Drain the engine oil and have an oil analysis done. There are trace metals in bearings that will show up in the oil as the bearings wear. Repeat every oil change and monitor changes. Abnormal wear is obvious to the oil analysis test shops.

-- Chuck

Charper732

That is an excellent idea! I just googled it and there seems to be quite a few places that can do the analysis. Do you know of any that are more reliable than others?

bgoetz

Blackstone