Rod Bearing replacement, 2.3L

[Dr76]

I've pretty much determined that my "clacking" sound is rod bearings (thanks to all who replied to that post!). Now for the FUN part; doing the job!

I know that removing the oil pan is a definite NO w/o at least raising the engine... my main questions are:

1) How high must I raise the engine to remove the pan?

2) Can I use a floor jack on the crank pulley (with a 2 x 4)

3) Do I need to detach the tranny? (1993, 5-sp. manual)

Thanks for the direction!

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

do yourself a favor and remove the engine.

NEVER use a jack on the crank pulley.

you will need to unbolt the motor mounts and jack the engine up as high as it will go. and probably take off the EGR valve to gain some extra clearance.

its a nightmare job and removing the engine would be far less hell.

after all this work i STILL could not remove the pan after removing the oil pickup screen (it was clogged).

removing the transmission should allow it fully be removed, but seriously? if you unbolt the trans, just unbolt the motor mounts, remove all hoses and wires and pull the engine

 

[4b316]

I agree with Brutus,pull motor.

 

[Spowerback]

unbolt the trans(bellhosing), just unbolt the motor mounts, remove all hoses and wires and pull the engine.you'll need an engine crane

 

[HareRazor]

If you are going to go through the trouble to pull the motor I don't know if I would go through the trouble to put new rod bearings back on the one you have. Most of the engines I have seen that had bad rod bearings have oval shaped rod ends, and the crank is usually tore up too.

 

[Psychopete]

Most of the engines I have seen that had bad rod bearings have oval shaped rod ends, and the crank is usually tore up too.

x2, using new bearings on a scored crank is not a good idea. It's likely going to need at least some machine work if that is really the problem. IMO, pull that out and get a used engine and save yourself the money.. Or pull it, take it apart, plastic-gauge your tolerances and check everything over.

Knew a guy who tried what you attempted and that crank just ate that bearing right up, threw a rod 2 days later. Engines are made to run, but one little bad thing can esclate into a massive problem..

 

[Cassieross764]

So is self sanding crank included in that diagnosis,just to be clear before I waste money