Peaking at the bearings

I have a Chrysler 2.4 turbo engine with 100,000 miles on it that I am giving a "going over" before it goes in my Locost. I am not planning a full rebuild, but I am going to have the oil pan off to remove the balance shafts and install a windage tray. Is there any harm in pulling the caps off the main and rod bearings to see how they look, and maybe plasti-gauge them? I would pull them one at a time and make sure I reinstall them in the same orientation. What does the hive mind say?

Look and reinstall the caps, if you want. No harm no foul.

With that mileage, having a turbo, having the engine out with the sump off, AND wanting to pull the caps off, I'd just go ahead replace them.

bgkast wrote: I have a Chrysler 2.4 turbo engine with 100,000 miles on it that I am giving a "going over" before it goes in my Locost. I am not planning a full rebuild, but I am going to have the oil pan off to remove the balance shafts and install a windage tray. Is there any harm in pulling the caps off the main and rod bearings to see how they look, and maybe plasti-gauge them? I would pull them one at a time and make sure I reinstall them in the same orientation. What does the hive mind say?

Let's here more about the Locust and the plans for that engine.

Sorry I can't offer anything useful. I suspect there is nothing to see at 100k assuming it was reasonably well taken care of.

Might as well put in new bearings .

Rolling in a new set wont hurt.

Have a look and if you don't see copper or scoring, then throw them back in. If you are going to really thrash the new car then it is cheap insurance to throw new ones in. I am a little bush league though and all I do is mike the old ones at the end where they are least worn and compare to the new ones to make sure no one has snuck an undersize set in at some point.

Post pics. I'd be interested in seeing the bearings. And yeah, I'd pull them off too. There's no reason not to.

Thanks! The engine will be going in a midlana. I am trying to stay under challenge budget, so if they look OK I will probably run them.

I got the oil pan off, looks pretty clean for 100,000 miles! I need to cut the balance shaft chain and remove the assembly so I can get at the bearings.

At 100000 miles I would expect them to be like new still. Why don't you just pull a couple of accessible rods and mike them and be done with it?

That far into it, I'd consider replacing the bearings and the rings. The parts are probably cheap.

You can pop the rod caps off and use a plastigage to mic the clearance to see if you are still in spec. You can also replace the actual rod bearings while you are in there. It's a standard service procedure for some motors, and has become a defacto one for others (hello original SHO...).

If you need any help, let me know. I was master engine rebuilder in a previous life and my garage is still stocked with all of the tools. We can hone it and re-ring it, too, if you want. I also have a wicked head porting setup...

Javelin wrote: I also have a wicked head porting setup...

More details please!!!!!!

In reply to Javelin:

Thanks for the offer for help. I've only ever "rebuilt" one engine, a V6 for a chumpcar Fiero. I was originally planning to not get into the engine too deep, but rings and bearings are cheap and the Midlana book will not be out for a few months yet, so I may change my direction.

bgkast wrote: Thanks! The engine will be going in a midlana. I am trying to stay under challenge budget, so if they look OK I will probably run them.

WHOA, just caught this. Want to see the build thread for this in a Midlana under the Challenge budget.