Main bearing change?
 

My S4 project car is becoming more of a project and less of a car. I'm doing motor mounts (stock)and a rebuilt steering rack. So of course I'm going to be a good boy and change the pan gasket while I'm in there, even though it doesn't leak (106K). Well, after I drop the pan, I notice that the #4 (from front) main looks suspect. Luckily the thrust surface of the thrust main is still there although the crank is being forced forward. I'll do the whole pinch collar thing when I'm done w/ the bearings. Is it possible to remove the whole main bearing casting from the bottom of the block while it's in the car? It doesn't look like it, but will it rain coolant on me if I can do this? I did a some past post searching and there was some talk of the thrust bearing being loaded by driveline issues, but not much about changing the bearings. If the crank looks good I hope to change all the rods and mains. If the crank looks bad, can it be dropped out after the flywheel is unbolted for a trip to the machine shop? Thanks

Tresamore,
For doing this job, for sure better to remove the engine from the car and turn the engine bottom-up
Maybe that's possible to remove the whole main bearing casting from the bottom of the block, but imagine to put it back again, and get a quality job out of it - No - Even the packing will be very difficult to handle, there is no gasket between these two parts, only a special Loctite packing and this is sealing all the oil channels!
There will be no cooling water drips, but a lot of oil drips
I think when you have the engine out, better to overhaul the total engine with new gaskets all over, and you will get 'like a new engine'
Good luck with the job
PS: I BTDT <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Erik is right on about getting the engine out to facilitate better access, I pulled my heads with the engine in, but went ahead and pulled the block on his advice. It will be much easier to change the gaskets and do the oil pan correctly. JMHO

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic