? about engine bearings......

[ChiXJeff]

Just asking to make sure I don't get into a bad situation in a couple of weeks.

I'm going to have the engine out of my 94 (4.0l I6, it's got 194,000 miles on it) in a couple of weeks, and plan on refreshing the bottom end with new seals, oil pump, harmonic balancer and bearings.

I was thinking originally that I couldn't/shouldn't order new bearings without Plastigaging the current set.

Can I or should I order bearings just based on the stamped code on the side of the block?

Yes, the new bearings WILL be Plastigaged at installation.

ChiXJeff

 

[satan]

IMHO - go with what you know (order based on the block if you're fairly certain that it's not been done) if you MUST pre-order

When you measure em at install time, you may discover other issues...

Around here, bearing shells are "stock" itemsfor several houses, so waiting to discover (or turn down to) a clean shaft is a very real option -- not a lot of savings on the mail-order /v/ local price for shells...

 

[ChiXJeff]

I bought it with 44,000 miles on it in 1997. I'm pretty sure that the bottom end (except for a rear main seal) is untouched.

I should point out that while I reside in the Chicago area, I'm doing the job up at Dad's northeast of Traverse City, MI. Out in the hinterlands.

I called one of the parts shops in Bellaire and they say it's a 1 day delivery. I'll have probably 2 days of lag time while the engine is on the stand. I'm tempted to pick up a set here from the stamped codes just for sheer paranoia. They're relatively cheap, so even if I end up not using them, I'm not out much.

ChiXJeff

 

[5-90]

Since a good local will probably have the oversizes at a local WD, I'd pull the crank and mike it. I have more faith in that than with a Plastigage check. It's not that Plastigage is inaccurate (I've checked against mike and more measurements!) I just have more faith in using a good mike set than squishing plastic, and it's easier for me.

Cleaning everything up will give you something to do while you wait the day for the bearings to come in anyhow....

5-90

 

[Eagle]

I would just order the bearings based on the engine code and call it a day. By all means Platigage it when assembling, but what'cha gonna do if it shows too much clearance? According to the FSM you can mix bearing sets to get a slightly tighter fit, so if the shop you're buying from will let you order two sets of different slizes and return what you don't use, that would be the safest approach. If that doesn't work out, I'd go with the codes.