1991 3fe rod knock, valve tap, rod connector? How screwed am I?

[vsatking]

what does the crank journal look like?

It has a step to it but fairly clean. No deep gouges. I am going to post up some pics with measurements hear shortly. I just bought a micrometer to measure how bad the step is.

I also bought a bore scope to try to measure the rod wear and check for round.

I watched a lot of you tube videos the past few days to see how I can check if this crank/motor is worth saving.

I am a bit out of my depth in the issue and have a near complete lack of experience with the bottom end of motors.

I might need some guidance from the pros hear shortly.

 

[airon23]

I'll be watching because my 3fe will need to come out and wondering if I can rebuild or need to find something else.

 

[vsatking]

I took some measurements of the crankshaft journal. It measured at 2.3172 on the virtical 2.3034 on horizontal.

The step I felt on crank journal would not show up in the micrometer readings.

FSM has the clearances at 2.6xxx.

Here are some pictures of crank journal and rod.

It would be really great to get some advice.

Can I polish and put in a larger bearing?

I am going to measure another journal to compare.

 

[Nframe]

Well that sucks...

 

[FJ40Jim]

I took some measurements of the crankshaft journal. It measured at 2.3172 on the virtical 2.3034 on horizontal.

If the journal is .014" out of round, then the crank needs machined undersize at least .020" to get back to being round. Round is a good shape for spinny bits.

 

[BILT4ME]

That bearing spun inside the rod journal. The rod and crank need to come out to be resurfaced and trued up for new bearings.

Also, all the junk that came off those, went through the oil system and the other bearings got some of it too.

 

[vsatking]

Well that sucks...

That bearing spun inside the rod journal. The rod and crank need to come out to be resurfaced and trued up for new bearings.

Also, all the junk that came off those, went through the oil system and the other bearings got some of it too.

My super power is to convince myself that it is not as bad as it looks. I have this super power because of my ignorance on what a good bottom end looks like.
@BILT4ME and @FJ40Jim I am sure your are correct and that is starting to dawn on me. Now comes the time were I get a little depressed and question my sanity as I shop for a new motor and a reputable shop to replace it.

I have about $2k in needed repairs to other systems (suspension, breaks, birfs, etc) of the vehicle to get it road worthy. A $3500-$4500 motor plus install is going to make this truck a serious money pit. I need to decide if the pit is worth jumping in. I was planning on spending about $10k on the LC to get it up to full weekend warier status. Now I am at $10k just so I can get a gallon of milk.

I would love to replace the motor myself but my 2 car garage just does not have the space for an engine hoist. If my wife has to park her car outside for a night she gets angry. Cant blame her when its -5degree F outside.

Thank you for your impute and sage advice!!!

I am going to go sulk for awhile.

Adam

 

[BILT4ME]

@masong recently pulled his 3FE to do an LS swap. Maybe his was still running and he's willing to sell.

He's in Utah.

Otherwise, check with @slow95z and @arcteryx for running used 3FE's.

Otherwise, pull and rebuild, or swap with an LS. That's the best platform to start with for that because it doesn't have all the extra OBD2 stuff.

 

[vsatking]

@masong recently pulled his 3FE to do an LS swap. Maybe his was still running and he's willing to sell.

He's in Utah.

Otherwise, check with @slow95z and @arcteryx for running used 3FE's.

Otherwise, pull and rebuild, or swap with an LS. That's the best platform to start with for that because it doesn't have all the extra OBD2 stuff.

Thank you BILT4ME. Good outline of options. I think I am going to look for a good used motor. If I can get one for $$ and get a shop to swap it for me I might be only slightly over my final budget.

I plan is to use this as a camping, ski, bike and mild 4x4 truck. It will probably not see more then 5k miles a year.

To the wider fourum... How much do you think a used 3fe motor with roughly 200k miles should go for...$1000?

 

[BILT4ME]

Thank you BILT4ME. Good outline of options. I think I am going to look for a good used motor. If I can get one for $$ and get a shop to swap it for me I might be only slightly over my final budget.

I plan is to use this as a camping, ski, bike and mild 4x4 truck. It will probably not see more then 5k miles a year.

To the wider fourum... How much do you think a used 3fe motor with roughly 200k miles should go for...$1000?

You need to go to Classifieds up above.

Here's a link.

Classifieds - Engine/Transmission/Transfer Case

Motors, Automatic Transmissions, 5-speeds, Valve Covers, Starters, Alternators, etc

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[vsatking]

You need to go to Classifieds up above.

Here's a link.

Classifieds - Engine/Transmission/Transfer Case

Motors, Automatic Transmissions, 5-speeds, Valve Covers, Starters, Alternators, etc

forum.ih8mud.com

Thanks. I just started up there. I am PM those with posted 3fe available.

Thanks again

 

[slow95z]

i do have a 3fe truck, and the engine spins over, but it does not crank. i have yet to check if its getting fuel or spark and honestly dont think i will. think i will sell the engine as a "buildable core" rather than waste time and money trying to get it to start. if its like the 93 and 96 i got (same lot of vehicles) the tank is rusted bad and the pump shot.

 

[vsatking]

i do have a 3fe truck, and the engine spins over, but it does not crank. i have yet to check if its getting fuel or spark and honestly dont think i will. think i will sell the engine as a "buildable core" rather than waste time and money trying to get it to start. if its like the 93 and 96 i got (same lot of vehicles) the tank is rusted bad and the

I'll PM you.

 

[vsatking]

If you are wondering what a blackstone report looks like on a badly spun bearing. Here you go!

I have decided to do a motor swap.

There are 4 motors that I have found around the US ranging from $500 to $1800. Any of those motors should get my build back on track.

It is going to be tough not buying local. A 13hr - 18 hr drive is a long way to go for an unproven motor.

 

[Crowdaddy]

This has just recently happened to me. I have a 91 3fe and I am no where in the ballpark of a mechanic and dont know what half this stuff is. I have a knock that just started up. When you say spark plug test to see which one it is. How exactly do you do this? I recently bought a pack of bearings and thats about it. What is the rod journal? I tried just changing the oil and its still knocking.

 

[airon23]

@vsatking What is the status of your 80? It's been a few years, did you ever pick up one of those used motors and get it swapped in. Curious how painful it was as I probably have the same fate in my future.