I’ve developed a light rod knock in my 1988 3FE and am going to change the rod bearings. The 260,000 mile motor has good compression (172-181 psi), good oil pressure, runs smoothly, doesn’t drink oil or smoke, and has no main bearing thump or noise on startup. I’m getting 13-14 on the highway at 55-60 mph and about 11 around town and it pulls strongly.
Since I only put 5,000 a year on it I'd be happy to go another five years without a major rebuild or engine swap.
I plan on replacing the full set of bearings with Clevite CB1440P with the engine in place, since the idea of pulling a half-ton, ten foot long, wire and vacuum hose encrusted engine/tranny combo out the nose of my FJ makes me just want to take a really long nap.
I’d like to also replace the rod bolts with ARP bolts; they don’t have a kit for the 3FE but my Toyota parts research says that it’s the same rod bolt used in the 22R. Unfortunately the rod bolts look like they are knurled for press-fitting.
So my questions are:
If anyone has experience replacing rod bearings on the 3FE, engine in place or not, what was your procedure, any tips/tricks?
Is it possible to change the rod bolts in place or do I need to remove the piston and rod assembly?
And finally what kind of oil clearance is acceptable in a motor that only needs to run another 20,000 miles or so?
I’ve had experience replacing rod bearings on an Oldsmobile V8. I was lucky in that it had a forged steel crank and the journals just needed a light cleanup with fine emory cloth. I will use Plastigague to check oil clearance.
Also, this is my first post. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
Since I only put 5,000 a year on it I'd be happy to go another five years without a major rebuild or engine swap.
I plan on replacing the full set of bearings with Clevite CB1440P with the engine in place, since the idea of pulling a half-ton, ten foot long, wire and vacuum hose encrusted engine/tranny combo out the nose of my FJ makes me just want to take a really long nap.
I’d like to also replace the rod bolts with ARP bolts; they don’t have a kit for the 3FE but my Toyota parts research says that it’s the same rod bolt used in the 22R. Unfortunately the rod bolts look like they are knurled for press-fitting.
So my questions are:
If anyone has experience replacing rod bearings on the 3FE, engine in place or not, what was your procedure, any tips/tricks?
Is it possible to change the rod bolts in place or do I need to remove the piston and rod assembly?
And finally what kind of oil clearance is acceptable in a motor that only needs to run another 20,000 miles or so?
I’ve had experience replacing rod bearings on an Oldsmobile V8. I was lucky in that it had a forged steel crank and the journals just needed a light cleanup with fine emory cloth. I will use Plastigague to check oil clearance.
Also, this is my first post. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.