...truth is, I'm too lazy to go out and jack my car up right now to look, but have any of you dropped the oil pan ONLY and changed out rod and main bearings on a small block Maverick or Comet with stock suspension and steering components? After looking at one of the pictures of Dave Boyer's "Auto Tilter" (thanks Dave), it appears that one could remove a few steering rack components and have clear access to the oil pan - which would lead me to think that it's possible to change out rod and main bearings while the engine is in the car (unless I'm TOTALLY forgetting about something - which is quite possible and, most likely, probable). I know it's done on some trucks (and some cars I suppose), but am wondering 'pacifically' about our cars with small blocks. I fear I might soon have to be swapping out the bearings (+.001" possibly) and after pulling the engine recently (and all that goes along with an EFI system ), it sure would be nice if all I had to do was drop a few parts from below and swap out the bearings (and maybe the oil pump while I'm at it). Anyone? Class? Bueller? Anyone?
Haven't changed bearings but I did pull my oil pan with the engine in the car. Removed the V8 Belly Bar and unbolted the idler arm to allow the steering to drop.
I changed bearings on 289 in '67 Fairlane back in 1978. I put the car on tall jack stands, loosened the engine mounts, jacked the engine up, supported it with 2x's, dropped the pan, and change the bearings. I did not have an engine hoist then. Since I do now, I'm not sure I would do it that way again. I was also 20 years old then. I'm now older, fatter, lazier, and...smarter.
75 Maverick oil pan removal here. I wasn't smart enough to remove the belly bar or any other components. I just jacked the engine up a bit off the frame stands and stuck in wood blocks to hold the engine up a bit. Then I pulled all the pan bolts. The pan would not slide out though, the oil pump was in the way. It did come down enough to get my hand in there and unbolt the pump. With the pump in the sump, the pan comes right out. Access is plenty open to the bottom end then. To go back together, I had to put the new oil pump in the sump, put the pan back up and bolt the pump in with the pan hanging right there. Though it can be done this way, I highly recommend removing the engine crossmember. Dave
I changed mains and rods in a 289 in a 66 Mustang with the engine in the car. I just jacked the engine up off the mounts and blocked it up. It wasn't pleasant to do it in the rain but it wasn't particularly hard to do.
I'm sure it can be done. We used to race round track cars years ago and my boss changed them out many a time with the engine in the car for a quick fix. We were running 289's at the time. (Yeah, I said 289's)
Excellent news, guys. Thanks. I'll gladly pull the steering rack and belly bar rather than the entire engine (again!) 'Much obliged gentlemen.
Successful completion of aforementioned activity of bearing tranferrance while internal combustion device is installed and attached to the remainder of aforementioned automobile by those who previously completed said task does in no wise guarantee the successful completion of any future aforementioned activity or the entire safety and well being of the amateur home mechanic attemtpting to complete the aforementioned activity. Any attempt to endeavor to successfully complete the aforementioned is done so without the expressed written consent, implied or otherwise, of those who have previously successfully completed the aforementioned endeavor. Those who previously successfully completed the aforementioned activity can in wise be held liable for any shortcomings, destruction of self and property, or erratic behavior of the aforementioned internal combustion engine.
Been there, done that. As mentioned, drop the steering at the idler arm, remove the belly bar. If you pull the centerlink down far enough you don't (at least I didn't) have to touch the oil pump. Bet it's tough getting a torque wrench in there on the oil pump bolts with the pan in the way.
It was written in plain Legalese. To put it in plain Southern - If Rick screws up, he can't blame us.
