Torchie94

So my pickup tube fell off and I welded back on the pump. I was in the process of putting my pan back on when my buddy said I should pull it all apart and replace all the bearins. Its not knocking and I don't have any ticks. So what would you do if it were your motor?

brucer

i take it the engine is out of the car?

if its out of the car and has hi mileage, i would almost have to do a rering on it.. maybe put the thinner head gaskets on it to bump up the compression a little.. and i would probably put some better valve springs on it in the process..

Wyocattech

Depends how long you ran the engine. If the pan is off it doesnt hurt to pull a cap and check the bearings.

Torchie94

Engine is still in the car. I plan on take a main off and checking. Should I plastigauge it?

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

You can't change bearings with the engine in the car.

Torchie94

I know that. I was fixing my oil pump pickup tube and my friend told me I should pull the motor to change all the bearings and I don't see a reason if its not knocking or ticking.

Wyocattech

Id get it back together and hook a manual gauge up and check pressure. especailly if pulling the engine to roll new bearings in is a problem.

67goatman455

iTrader: (14)

how long did it run without oil pressure?

Torchie94

The motor never dropped below 15psi because I have a low oil pressure light on my Apilliar so I shut the car off and limped it home and then I smacked the oil pan with a rubber hammer and I heard the pickup tube rattling around. But if the bearins ARE in fact bad the motor will come out and heads,cam and some machine shop work will be done

hvyss

Take it out and rebuild it. I had a pickup tube fall out of my 355. Toasted the bearings.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

Not so fast.
I drove nearly 300 miles and made 8 WOT dyno pulls without a oil pump pickup. No kidding.

I noticed prior to the trip to the dyno, that under hard breaking I got the low oil pressure light a couple of times for only a second. I dismissed it and went to the dyno. Returned from the dyno and say the light again and put 2 and 2 together and new there was a problem. I started to question the pickup so I banged on the bottom of the pan with a mallet and heard the pickup bouncing around and then had a heart attack. Pulled the pan, replaced the pickup, welded the **** out of it and fired it up and drove it around.

All appears to be good. At idle with 5/30 oil, I get 25 on the dash guage and 22 on the mechanical guage. At 5-6K RPM I have easily 60 pounds plus. I saw the low pressure light at least a half dozen times and saw the guage hit rock bottom too. Maybe I was lucky but I feel confident that there is no damage. I have seen were others were lucky and others were not.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

Whay is this? If the motor is jacked up and the K-member is lowered, there should be room to change the mains and rods. Although it would still be a PITA.

Torchie94

I pulled the pan WITHOUT pulling motor mount bolts or lowering my Kmember. Just pull the windage tray and the pan will slide right off

Rob

iTrader: (6)

Mine fell off around 2000 or so. Spun the #4 rod bearing. Extended warranty got me another engine...4 bolt mains to boot! Mine hit zero on the gauge twice, both times when stopped at a light. Then it started knocking. Engine looked great except for the one bearing.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

Glad you got the 4 bolt mains.

Torchie94

So my bearings are fine. But I have another question.. my pickup tube is set at about 7 1/4 in from the boottom of my block to the bottom of my pickup. Is this correct or should I change it?