this is a question about my big Healey engine, not the TR6 engine, but I'm
thinking the answer would probably be the same because the engines are
similar in design. Looking at the note from John H. which described how he
redid his main bearings, my engine is showing very similar oil pressure to
his "before" numbers -- ie roughly 20 pounds at 2000 rpm, 30 pounds at 3000
(this is when hot -- they're higher when engine is cold).
this engine has been rebuilt, but probably about 20 years ago. Runs well,
doesn't use any oil.
Are these readings so alarmingly low that I should take action? I drove the
car from Washington state to Washington, D.C. five years ago with no
problems.
--Graham
-----Original Message-----
From: JPHaeg [mailto:haeg1@mninter.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 11:16 PM
To: 6pack List
Subject: Re: Results of replacing main bearings
I wanted to report back on the results of replacing my main bearings.
DOING THE WORK:
I considered it a fairly big maintenance job (6-8 hours total. I'm slow and
deliberate), but no one step was that difficult.
- I did damage one of the new bearings when I started to bolt the first main
together, and I had the lower bearing and cap backward. No serious damage
occurred, but I damaged the new bearing and had to order another complete
set
of bearings.
- When I removed the cap over #1 bearing, I damaged the gasket that is part
of
the front engine plate. I chose to cut away the remaining exposed gasket,
and
used some RTV/Copper form-a-gasket. It looked good, but time will tell if
that
was the right way to go.
- If was kind of a mess job, with oil dripping on my face and body
occasionally.
- I also replaced the thrust bearings, one with a standard sized thrust
bearing, and one with an oversized bearing. I didn't have any fancy
measuring
equipment, but it was too tight to fit two oversized thrust bearings.
THE RESULTS - Oil Pressures with hot engine:
Before
800 rpm 0-5 lbs.
2000 rpm 20 lbs.
2500 rpm 20-25 lbs.
3000 rpm 35 lbs.
After
800 rpm 10 lbs.
2000 rpm 35 lbs.
2500 rpm 45 lbs.
3000 rpm 55 lbs.
MY CONCLUSIONS:
I'm happy with the increased oil pressures, and feel that I've given myself
some driving time before a full rebuild will be necessary. I'm assuming that
these numbers are about 10 lbs. below a strong engine. Thanks again for help
I
received from people on this list.
Note: This engine has 62K miles on it.
Note: I replaced the oil pump and rod bearings last fall, and noticed maybe
+5
lbs. increase in pressure.
Take care,
John H. in Minneapolis
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