Easiest way to do rod/main bearings?

[88fiveohGT]

What is the easiest way to get it done? Should i Just loosen the motor mounts and lift the motor enough to snake the oil pan out or is there a better way?

[MadMatt]

Pull the motor! - I think that would be a hell of alot easier than crawling around in the dark underbelly. Are you getting ready to do it soon?

[88fiveohGT]

i wont be doing it until it gets nicer out and i was hoping to avoid having to pull the motor so i was wondering if theres any tricks to get it done easier.

[Macs Stang]

i wont be doing it until it gets nicer out and i was hoping to avoid having to pull the motor so i was wondering if theres any tricks to get it done easier.

Just pull the engine. You have to correctly torque everything back down. Just imagine having to do that on your back. it doesn't take long at all to have the engine out of the craddle. It has been done in under an hour.

[orange88]

unless you have a tube k-member i wouldent even try doing it in the car

[TurboX2]

unless you have a tube k-member i wouldent even try doing it in the car

I wouldn't try it anyway....

If even possible it will probably take longer and be much more difficult (along with great chance of nicking crank journals) as just pulling the motor and doing it right. How would you plan to get the crank loose upside down (hanging down) to replace the bearings? How would you check clearances? Besides, if the bearings need replacing how good are the rings? Might as well just re-ring it at the same time and do the whole thing right.....do it half-ass trying to save a little time or money and you'll end up doing it again and doing it right anyway...

[OrangeCrush 86]

I have a hoist you can use to get it out andy. Why would you even bother if you have that other motor you are rebuilding???

[mnstang]

i don't think you can get a fox oil pan off with the engine in the car... but if you could, then maybe.

many years ago, i did it in a 351 f150 before that had the oil pump seized. new pump, driveshaft, and new main and rod bearings. it was on a customers car and needed it cheap. i got the whole job done in less than a day and it turned out great.

[88fiveohGT]

well sounds like i'll be pulling the motor...oh well shouldnt be too bad..

[worduphomefry]

pulling the motor is super easy and so is putting it back in. it shouldn't give you any trouble

[OrangeCrush 86]

Be sure to take the hood off

[SmithEvo]

Be sure to take the hood off

Dammit, I knew I forgot something last time!!!!

[Osiris22]

build a new one

My as well do it all right and get some extra power while you're at it. Once you do all the work of pulling motor, do everything you want to do. Plan out what you want before you start. Maybe a new cam. Port heads. If you got the cash stroke it. Depending on milage it's nuts to put new bearings and leave cylinders. New rings at least, maybe a bore(need to check bore size). What is the milage on motor? If high do a total overhaul otherwise it's not worth the work.

That's IMO. If I'm pulling a moter out of a Fox body I'm gonna get something out of it. Like an extra 175 horse or so.

[MadMatt]

I hear you guys saying to rering. What if all your crosshatchings are plain as day without wear? I wouldnt rebore and go 30 over at that point. Im just replacing bearings and having the crank turned on mine. It never burned any oil or blew by the rings. Im going to boost the piss out of it and eventually crack the block

[badcobra]

I hear you guys saying to rering. What if all your crosshatchings are plain as day without wear? I wouldnt rebore and go 30 over at that point. Im just replacing bearings and having the crank turned on mine. It never burned any oil or blew by the rings. Im going to boost the piss out of it and eventually crack the block

I'd just get the cylinders honed and put new rings in it. There is no point in taking an engine apart and doing a half-ass rebuild on it. It's extremely cheap to rebuild a 5.0, so do it right and be done with it.