Hi, all. I've got combustion gases in my coolant, so I'm pulling the engine (in my sig) to replace the gaskets and get the heads checked. This stock engine has about 260k miles on it - a GM-installed replacement after the factory engine blew at 90k. I'm the third owner and would be surprised if the rings and bearings weren't factory. I'm wondering whether I should brave it myself - never done that work before. There's some rod knock or maybe piston slap. While I have it out on the stand, would it be worth it for a newb to check the rod bearings? Is it even possible to check them without having to replace them after removing the caps? If yes, I'd like to re-ring it too. I've heard both cautionary tales and encouragement to dig into it. This is not my daily driver but only a snow vehicle and short-distance materials hauler. Opinions? Tell me if I'm not including enough info. Thanks in advance.

 

If the engine is out of the truck and the heads off, at the very least, I'd pull the pan and plastigage the bearings. If they're fine, you don't have to replace them, but MAKE SURE you get the bearings & caps back in the same place and same orientation they came from. But as cheap as bearings are, you may want to replace them since you're in there anyway.

If you suspect piston slap, that of course has to be checked out.

Personally, if I expected to keep the truck for a while, I'd go ahead and replace the bearings & rings. If you can turn a wrench you won't have any trouble, but probably want to read up on them and line up all necessary specs & tools beforehand.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

The engine is out and coming apart. Please watch this video and tell me whether this kind of rocker arm movement is normal. Does the amount of play vary from one to the next because of whatever position the cam lobes happen to be in?

https://ln5.sync.com/dl/c803043e0/j5...e3prm-zymzrhxf

 

Woops! Bad link. Let me fix that.

 

Bad codec for online viewing. Converted and available here:

https://ln5.sync.com/dl/c803043e0#j5...e3prm-zymzrhxf

 

Argh. Nevermind, still bad. I'll get my act together and repost later.
'

 

Finally. Working in Brave/Chrome and FFox:

https://ln5.sync.com/dl/b44f4c100/i7...25675548950005

 

If the valve is closed, the rocker arm will move a lot more.

 

Thanks. I got the pistons out. All the upper bearings show copper like the one in the photo. I also have a few nicks on the crank - I know I did two of them. Am I looking at getting the crank polished, or can I gently smooth them out? I don't intend to keep my rig forever and don't use it much or really push it.