hinchcliffe

I have a definite knock to the motor. If the worst happen and the bearing is spun what needs to replace?

Rod Bearings
Crank?
......

What's the price? How about a drilled crank? Would it be easier to replace the whole Long Block?

Motor out, what kind of time you thinking?

John Speake

You could remove the lower bellhousing cover, release the flex plate clampp bolt, and then check crank end float - max 0.4mm. That would be a pretty good indication of T/B failure.

I would have thought a knock is rod end bearings/rod/piston problem.

Regards

hinchcliffe

PO had her at Watkins at least 5 times (5 stickers on te window when I bought her). So I'm thinking he had the 6000+ rpms deal. My father was thinkng it could be just piston slap (piston has room in the cylinder and doesn't go straight up. I figure until it gets real loud I'll try not to worry about much. I have a DE at Watkins on Memorial Day so I figure I'll take her easy and try a 20w-50 oil. I have good oil pressure so maybe its not the rod bearing but something more like a wrist pin or ring going? I assume the motor will have to come out next winter for a clean-up and inspection.

The Short block was replaced in 1989 do to a piston failure. It only has 26k miles since then.

John Veninger

If it is the rod you'll more than likely throw it through the block at Watkins.
You won't know until it's taken apart.
Spun rod usually it means a rod or two, new crank and maybe a piston,new oil cooler and engine cleaning.

I have an 86 short block and a spare crank.

hinchcliffe

I guess we'll see what happens. Will an '86 block work in an '87 car?

John Veninger

Block and crank, yes.
Pistons, no

hinchcliffe

John, are you guys headed to The Clash at the Glen this year? Hopefully you won't be booted on Friday again and I can actually meet you. How's Stan's car coming?

John Veninger

Dave is going and I think Stan will be doing a shake down of his car at Lime Rock on the 20th, so he should be going.
I'm on the fence about going. Need to decide by Monday.

hinchcliffe

Hopefully I'll see you guys then. Maybe I'll have y'all listen to my car and see what you think. Thanks again.

Big Dave

What about the head studs? I thought 85-86 blocks have head studs, and that 87+ blocks use head bolts. Are 85's the only models that have head studs?

John Veninger

Remove the studs from the 85/86 block and use the 87 bolts.

Big Dave

Hopefully the bolts don't cost $50 each.

John Veninger

Dave,

I wouldn't change the studs on your block. They are a PITA to remove and the bolts are $$.
I was refering that Curt could use his bolts from his 87 engine

Big Dave

I wasn't implying that I would. My engine's done.

Chris

Couldn't you just remove the oil filter, cut it and check inside for bearing fragments ?

Just a thought.

Chris

PS: If it is bearing like John said change the oil cooler, my PO didn't ..... big mistake.