• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Bearings

  • Thread starter Thread starter StinkinLincoln
  • Start date Start date Sep 16, 2007

StinkinLincoln

Member
Dec 9, 2006
240
0
17
Louisiana
Sep 16, 2007
#1
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #1
well if you have followed any of my posts about my engine issues, i have pull the motor today and pull the main caps. all but like one main bearings were worn real bad. 1 or 2 were scarred real bad and one had like scars in the middle and one or two had the outside edge showing copper. i got alot of pics on photobucket, some are clear, some blurry. either tomorrow or Tuesday im gonna look at the rod bearings.
 

Bosko5.0

Active Member
May 18, 2006
1,067
0
37
longwood, FL
Sep 16, 2007
#2
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #2
Are the oil holes in the crankshaft clear of debris?
what does the crank shaft look like?
Did you use pastiguage to check clearance before it ran?

I heard that if you take a penny and rub it on the crank shaft journals and the penny rubs off onto the crank shaft it needs to be turned or resurfaced( I don't remember that much I heard this like 5 years ago).
 

StinkinLincoln

Member
Dec 9, 2006
240
0
17
Louisiana
Sep 16, 2007
#3
  • Sep 16, 2007
  • #3
the crank looks ok
im not sure if it got worn where the bearing was worn on the outside edge. ill look more closely the next time i open it up. the bearings had oil on them when i pulled them, i dont remember if they all did but most did anyway.
i gauged like one or two mains and i think they were within specs (i had specs on the stock motor) i dont remember though. i just wanted to get done with it when i put it together so i think i just put them in.

heres where i think part of the prob came in. i used Rotella T 15w-40 oil, thats kinda thick from what im gathering.
 

StinkinLincoln

Member
Dec 9, 2006
240
0
17
Louisiana
Sep 17, 2007
#4
  • Sep 17, 2007
  • #4
com'on experienced guys i need some help.
take a look at all the motor pics and the tq. converter pics, im so in over my head right now its not funny!
 

Bosko5.0

Active Member
May 18, 2006
1,067
0
37
longwood, FL
Sep 18, 2007
#5
  • Sep 18, 2007
  • #5
try posting on corral.net more expierinced people there I can tell cause alot of them are stuborn and picky.

There is another forum that is mainly ford engines but I don,t know the name.
 

Methodical

15 Year Member
Dec 1, 2003
1,192
11
59
Clinton, MD
Sep 18, 2007
#6
  • Sep 18, 2007
  • #6
From the looks of things it looks like there was some foreign material in the oil. I'd suggest you plastigauge each bearing next time. You probably will have to have the crank grounded .010 and polished and get the matching bearings. Get the crank oil holes chamfered, if not already done.

Also, are the clean bearings the ones you checked when you initially put the motor together?

It looks like their was some sort of upward or downward thrust on the crank - possibly from the SC - and it ended up wearing the edges of some of the bearings - the bearings with the wear on the edges what numbers are they?

Just thinking off the top of my head. When I built my motor I checked and rechecked clearances - sort of anal.

What is it that you want? - what is your question?
 

Yobi1Kanobi

Member
Apr 9, 2003
559
0
16
Sep 18, 2007
#7
  • Sep 18, 2007
  • #7
I havent followed your build, but did you build it yourself....

And there are alot of things that could have gone wrong but yes plastiguaging would have told you if you had enough clearance in those journals. Maybe you used bearing that were udersize for your crank...Remember just cuz the box said it was the right size it doesnt mean it does....
 

juiced_94gt

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,143
0
36
Southern California
Sep 19, 2007
#8
  • Sep 19, 2007
  • #8
Have you built a motor before? just asking because there are SO MANY different things to check for like Thrust bearing clearence and main and rod clearences, thats why i went with a built shortblock from CHP (which i hope hasn't failed as you have read my other posts already) good luck man me and you are in the same boat...10k plus paper weights right now.
 

StinkinLincoln

Member
Dec 9, 2006
240
0
17
Louisiana
Sep 19, 2007
#9
  • Sep 19, 2007
  • #9
nope, that was my first build. i didnt know any better, this time it will get done right, im going to get a book on blueprinting and do it right.
 

BlackVert

15 Year Member
Oct 3, 2003
5,589
9
98
Bethesda, MD
Sep 19, 2007
#10
  • Sep 19, 2007
  • #10
for better or worse, personal experience is the best teacher.

i applaud you for building it yourself. i hope to build one some day
 

Methodical

15 Year Member
Dec 1, 2003
1,192
11
59
Clinton, MD
Sep 20, 2007
#11
  • Sep 20, 2007
  • #11
StinkinLincoln said:
nope, that was my first build. i didnt know any better, this time it will get done right, im going to get a book on blueprinting and do it right.
Click to expand...


The book I used when I built my motor was "How to Build an Small Block Ford." I think I got it from Summit. Plus tons of questions here and everywhere. So far so good. The motor came to life of 5/27/05.

I don't know much about blueprinting, but just be prepared.

Also, since you will build it yourself, put the saved money into higher quality parts. And check, double check and then check again.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

15 Year Member
Jun 13, 2007
1,670
87
79
Cyprus
Sep 20, 2007
#12
  • Sep 20, 2007
  • #12
StinkinLincoln said:
well if you have followed any of my posts about my engine issues, i have pull the motor today and pull the main caps. all but like one main bearings were worn real bad. 1 or 2 were scarred real bad and one had like scars in the middle and one or two had the outside edge showing copper. i got alot of pics on photobucket, some are clear, some blurry. either tomorrow or Tuesday im gonna look at the rod bearings.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you'll definitely need to check the rod bearings. I'd be surprised if those are still OK given how bad the mains are. They should, in all likelihood, be even worse especially the upper halves of the rod bearings.
With that degree of bearing wear, and the unevenness of the wear pattern, the crank journals will need to be reground 0.010" undersize and you'll need new matching undersize bearings. The oil holes must also be chamfered to ensure proper bearing lubrication. While you're there, replace the oil pump and pick-up tube with new items.
The question is what caused this? I don't think "thick" oil is to blame. Perhaps foreign material in the oil but where would it have come from? I think it's more likely that the bearings were hammered by excessively high cylinder pressures caused by repeated spraying with nitrous.
 

StinkinLincoln

Member
Dec 9, 2006
240
0
17
Louisiana
Sep 21, 2007
#13
  • Sep 21, 2007
  • #13
lol nitrous lol i wish, seriously i just got 650 miles on that N/A motor.

i think i found my problem also...the crank seemed to be forward to much and it rubbed against 2 of the main caps. one cap it was real bad, that was the middle one #3 w/ the thrust washer. it was wore real bad, u can tell it heated up. the crank was to far forward b/c i either put it there and didnt notice or when i put the motor to the transmission in the car i left the tq. converter on the flywheel, found out that was a no-no. so im going to have the crank tested to make sure it ok, have it ground .010 and have the mains bored/honed and get matching bearings. i want to put this thing together so i know how, the right way, but i want it to last and i dont have the specs and clearances i need for a performance motor. if you could help that would be a life saver! also what are all the tools i will need?
 

Methodical

15 Year Member
Dec 1, 2003
1,192
11
59
Clinton, MD
Sep 21, 2007
#14
  • Sep 21, 2007
  • #14
StinkinLincoln said:
lol nitrous lol i wish, seriously i just got 650 miles on that N/A motor.

i think i found my problem also...the crank seemed to be forward to much and it rubbed against 2 of the main caps. one cap it was real bad, that was the middle one #3 w/ the thrust washer. it was wore real bad, u can tell it heated up. the crank was to far forward b/c i either put it there and didnt notice or when i put the motor to the transmission in the car i left the tq. converter on the flywheel, found out that was a no-no. so im going to have the crank tested to make sure it ok, have it ground .010 and have the mains bored/honed and get matching bearings. i want to put this thing together so i know how, the right way, but i want it to last and i dont have the specs and clearances i need for a performance motor. if you could help that would be a life saver! also what are all the tools i will need?
Click to expand...

One suggestion is when you torque the thrust bearing you want to tighten it while putting either forward or backward (can't remember which one right now but can check the book to verify) thrust on the crank while tightening the main bolts. For now, let the machine shop person take a look at it and do what needs to be done to the crank and main bearing surface. While in there you may as well have them balance the rotating assembly since it will be apart - you need the crank, flywheel rods and pistons.
 

StinkinLincoln

Member
Dec 9, 2006
240
0
17
Louisiana
Sep 21, 2007
#15
  • Sep 21, 2007
  • #15
i have already had that balanced. i got a new flex plate so that it was done when i first rebuilt it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
8.8 Pinion Nut Leak
  • OX1
  • Jan 3, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
15
Views
715
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 5, 2026
OX1
O
J
2004 Mustang 3.8L V6 vibrations above 65 MPH and differential leaks
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 16, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
13
Views
378
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Today at 2:45 PM
joeybuddy96
J
Y
Engine 1994 Ford Mustang Gt Rod Knock/Stuck Lifter
  • yaboity
  • Jun 7, 2025
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
250
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jun 8, 2025
AeroCoupe
Drive Shaft/Rear Diff Issue on 2014 GT
  • DudeStang
  • Jun 16, 2025
  • 2010 - 2014 Specific Tech
Replies
11
Views
1K
2010 - 2014 Specific Tech Jan 21, 2026
gkomo
S
Drivetrain 8.8 Pinion and 302 rear main seal leaks after replacing. 93 5.0 with t-5
  • Steigy4827
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
609
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 1, 2026
Steigy4827
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?