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#20486 10/01/2002 2:57 PM | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 35 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 35 | While I am under my 230 replacing my oil seals, I was wondering if I should check the bearing clearances with plastigage? I intend to rebuild the engine down the line, say in a year. Would this be a waste of time right now?
The pictures in the manual make it look easy to do, but I was wondering if it is that easy, especially working from underneath the engine.
Thanks,
Jerry Mann
REQUIRED READING: Truck, by John Jerome
(aka "The Book of Truck")
Zen Trucking
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#20487 10/01/2002 5:21 PM | Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 506 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 506 | Drive it like you hate it, fix it when its broke. Seriously though - if you have oil pressure and the engine isn't knocking or making bearing noises leave it alone. Enjoy as long as you can because when its down for repairs it will always cost more and take longer than you ever expected. Another option if you just have to get dirty is go find another engine and rebuild that one and then switch-em-out. Have fun.
Tim
"Drugs are money, money is power, power is security." - Kent Heiner
Nedrow population 2212
Carbon footprint family of 2/11 tonnes of CO2/yr
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#20488 10/01/2002 5:37 PM | Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 59 Member | | Member Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 59 | Yes, the plastigages work as easy as it shows in the manuals. But, if you're not going to be rebuilding for a while, I'm with 52Pu, wait until your ready. It'll be a lot easier to do with the engine out and on a stand, than it will be while you're on your back with the oil dripping on your glasses. Besides, if you muck something up in the precess, you're kinda stuck until you get it fixed.
72 Sierra Grande - Maych Forget about "do it right the first time". Do it wrong the first time to learn how, then do it right the second time.
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#20489 10/01/2002 6:06 PM | Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2000 Posts: 2,773 | I agree that you should leave well enough alone. Spend that time cleaning the oil pan and pump screen, which will help the engine life. It's not an easy task to do upside down, and you are adding another opportunity to get foreign matter in the bearings.
Fred
52 3600
69 C-10
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#20490 10/01/2002 7:49 PM | Joined: May 2000 Posts: 234 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2000 Posts: 234 | Agreed: if the oil pressure is good, leave well enough alone. If you don't plan to take the crank+block to the machine shop now, don't check.  -Boyo
'48 Willys CJ-2A / '55.1 Chevy 3600 / '66 Austin-Healey 3000 / '04 Volvo wagon (parenthood!?)
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#20491 10/01/2002 8:31 PM | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 962 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 962 | Plastigauge can think? Plastigauge can talk, but all it ever says to me is: "This motor is shot." You may not want to hear what its thinking.... 
Preaching the Hot Rod Gospel according to the 4-stroke apostles:
Suck, Squish, Fire and Fumes
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#20492 10/03/2002 3:17 PM | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 35 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 35 | Just the kind of wisdom I was looking for...I will leave checking the bearing clearances for when I need to. Especially sobering was the response which suggested that I may not like to hear what platigauge is thinking...
Jerry Mann
REQUIRED READING: Truck, by John Jerome
(aka "The Book of Truck")
Zen Trucking
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