Replace main berings or not
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Replace main berings or not Hello! new here so if i place the thread in the wrong section, Sorry.
Anyway, I have a 2005 5.3 engine for a swap into a Bmw e36. Got the engine last week and though i was gonna replace all gaskets and check it out a bit.
Most of my pushrods was worn on the rocker end so i will replace all pushrods, and while im in there i will replace Lifters and rocker arms too.
There was a bit of gunk in the top end, will check how to oil in the pan look later today.
My plan for the engine is to max change the cam, nothing else in regards of power for the next 2 years. After everything with the rest of the car is done and im happy with it then i maybe will look into turbo it.
The only question i have is if it is a good idea to replace crank and rod bearings too or should i just left it as it is for now and replace all of that later when (if) i build a turbo?
The engine is supposed to have 160k miles on it
Sorry if my english is bad, Normaly i talk Swedish
Anyway, I have a 2005 5.3 engine for a swap into a Bmw e36. Got the engine last week and though i was gonna replace all gaskets and check it out a bit.
Most of my pushrods was worn on the rocker end so i will replace all pushrods, and while im in there i will replace Lifters and rocker arms too.
There was a bit of gunk in the top end, will check how to oil in the pan look later today.
My plan for the engine is to max change the cam, nothing else in regards of power for the next 2 years. After everything with the rest of the car is done and im happy with it then i maybe will look into turbo it.
The only question i have is if it is a good idea to replace crank and rod bearings too or should i just left it as it is for now and replace all of that later when (if) i build a turbo?
The engine is supposed to have 160k miles on it
Sorry if my english is bad, Normaly i talk Swedish
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,890
Likes: 1,137
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
It depends on if the bearings are in bad shape or not, and the only way to check that is to disassemble the engine and look. And if you've already disassembled it, you may as well replace them. If you're removing the heads to replace lifters, it's not much more work to pull the pistons/rods/crank out. Check the cam bearings while you're at it. I've seen engines with perfect rod and main bearings and the cam bearings are junk.
