RockinWs6

You will do as you want BUT those bearing are being destroyed by something AFTER the oil filter. That means the ENTIRE oil gallery is contaminated with metal. Replacing these bearings is A COMPLETE WASTE unless you solve the problem and completely clean out the gallery and find the source of the metal. Anything else is spinning your wheels.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

I agree they are not the cause of the problem. But they are getting junk in them from whatever is. Since you just did a cam swap and then the issue, you will probably find a bad cam bearing or cam.
Your gut will tell you, you have experience.

I'm no different by the way, always "hope" it something simple, but the clues will lead you to the issue.

The engine I'm working on came from the boneyard, it's an L33, and who knows whit oil pressure it had. Although it does seem quite nice inside. Haven't decided if I'll re-use the bearings yet.......

Good luck!

Ron

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (25)

I went ahead and pulled the motor today after realizing that none of my 3 jaw pullers that I've used on Fbody and truck balancers would fit inside the corvette balancer with the motor inside the car. I might still pick up one of those chrysler balancer pullers just to have for the future.

I want to get that cam out and take a look before I decide what to do.

gMAG

iTrader: (1)

I realize that this thread is approaching 1 year ago, but you CAN replace all of the bearings without removing the heads. I did so.
There is a point in the rotation of crank, where it can be removed, by first removing the rod caps & mains, then pushing all of the pistons upward, toward the heads. You'll need another pair of hands to hold at least two of the piston rods, just so, to provide enough room for the crank to be removed.
Of course, pulling the engine is required.

studderin

iTrader: (28)

If the bearing are worn, just belt sand the bearings a little smaller. no need for skills, or special machines, thats stuff is all a scam. if there too loose, use beer can metal to space them. drink more beer till its fixed

DeathByNissan55

So what ended up happening/did you reuse the bearings?

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (25)

Well I took the (removed) engine, crank, and bearing caps to a couple of machine shops. Neither of them said anything definitive but what I gathered was that bearings are cheap enough that at that point I should replace them no matter what, and turn the crank. So that is what I did. I also read about possible deformities in the stock rod ends so I had the rod ends turned open 2 thou at the same time, and ordered the appropriate bearings. I went ahead and took the engine completely apart and also replaced the rings and cam bearings "just because" even though the cam and all the original ones looked okay.

Put it all back together and it was pretty much back to normal, although oil pressure is still lower at idle than I would expect (about 20psi with the melling high flow pump and the stiffer of the two springs installed). But pressure at higher rpm is 50psi or so and it doesnt make any excessive noise so I guess it is alright. It probably has a thousand miles or so on it since I put it back together.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

When I responded initially what was it, two years ago? I was undecided on re-using the bearings I showed.

Well, I did. 80 dragstrip passes later, all is well. Oil pressure solid.
Turbocharged by the way. Best of 9.21@149.

Coming apart soon to upgrade to forged rods and Pistons.

Ron

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (25)

I decided to replace mine and rebuild the engine because

a) enough people were undecided/doubtful on their condition to raise concern in my mind even though there was not a consensus,

b) there was obviously some issue causing low oil pressure,

c) I was already at that point with removal of the old parts anyway,

and

d) the cost was not that much more to just go ahead and do it, and I could use it as a learning experience of my first piston engine rebuild

Devan Jackson

Idk what they are talking about I’ve been in the 5.0s for years on reused 5.3 bearings and also reused Oem rings just filled.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Paging GAtsma...

G Atsma

LOL!! Necro-Post Man.... days late and $$$ short....

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

he's been late on the draw lately, let me get bit by the old thread digger upper the other day

G Atsma

Awwww MAN!! Do I gotta do EVERYTHING around here?? Oh the work load.... LOL