How common are spun bearings on 96-98's?

[krazy bunta]

I just got a 98 gt, had a really bad rod knock. I opened her up, and it had not one, but two bad bearings!

I've just ordered Sean Hylands 4.6 how to book, but wanted some additional opinions.

Yes getting forged this and that is gonna help for strength, but if the weak link is the bearings, what to do about that? Is it a common problem? I plan on staying NA, but would like to make it reliable, perhaps more reliable than stock...

Thanks!

 

[COramprat]

That's the first I've heard of something like this. Maybe just one that someone road hard.

 

[krazy bunta]

heh, in my searching it actually seems pretty common. Strange that cop cars and taxi's go for hundreds of thousands of miles...

So I recieved my "bible" from Sean Hyland, it seems despite the lower strength of the aluminum block, the 4 bolt main is very appealing to fight future possible bottom end issues. According to the book, the aluminum bottom end is good for over 1000 horsepower, so for my measely 300hp desires, it sounds like my best option.

Any other opinions?

 

[stangman]

yup it's actually pretty common. if a 4.6 gets a little low on oil & you hear a knock, there's a really good chance that's what it is, they don't like being low on oil at all

 

[Matto]

yup it's actually pretty common. if a 4.6 gets a little low on oil & you hear a knock, there's a really good chance that's what it is, they don't like being low on oil at all

Yeah, but you'd think Ford would install a sensor that goes off before it actually gets low enough to spin a bearing. Guess they weren't thinking about that though.

 

[_jb_]

yup it's actually pretty common. if a 4.6 gets a little low on oil & you hear a knock, there's a really good chance that's what it is, they don't like being low on oil at all

I don't think many cars like to run on low oil. But I have heard that the 96-98 4.6's.

 

[stangman]

Yeah, but you'd think Ford would install a sensor that goes off before it actually gets low enough to spin a bearing. Guess they weren't thinking about that though.

well they do have a low oil light but my car had less thana quart of oil in it & no light

sears

i've actually heard of someone spinning a bearing with 4.5-5 qts of oil in the car before. a guy that is a tech at ford told me he sees it all the time with the 4.6's

 

[Matto]

well they do have a low oil light but my car had less thana quart of oil in it & no light

sears

i've actually heard of someone spinning a bearing with 4.5-5 qts of oil in the car before. a guy that is a tech at ford told me he sees it all the time with the 4.6's

Well I know they have a light, but I'm just saying it's worthless because it doesn't prevent damage, by the time it comes on you'll probably be sitting on the side of the road calling a wrecker. Pretty stupid if you ask me.

 

[krazy bunta]

That sucks, I'm gonna try the cobra pan, an upgraded oil pump, and look for a better way to keep the bearings lubed up. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks!