Re: JPOR: Main bearings

[Ben Bargabus <ben_b@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I don't have a micrometer, and like you said, 401 cranks are
> reputed to be very durable.  The journals all look fine, despite
> the less-than-ideal condition of the bearings.


beg, borrow or steal a mic.


> The TSM talks about .001 & .002 undersize bearings, yet the PAW
> kits apparently only come with .01 & .02 undersize bearings.  Are
> the smaller increments harder to come by?  If so, who sells them?


They generally come in 10 and 20 thousandths (.010 and .020), I'd
suspect someone screwed up the decimal point in the FSM.


> Doesn't the timing chain require a different angle of attack?  I
> thought you had to yank the all the accessories & stuff off the
> front of the engine.  I wasn't aware you had to remove the oil
> pan or any of the main bearings.  Am I mistaken?


I didn't realize you were doing this in the vehicle (I hate doing that,
I'd just as soon yank the f-er).  You're right, there's a bit more work
to change the timing chain then.  It's your call, if you're going to run
this thing for some time and the rest of the vehicle is in sound shape
I'd pull the engine and go through it.  If this is a beater or a short
term vehicle then slap it back together, give it a quick cross (if your
religious ;-), and send it down the road.


Good luck,
Ben.