my dad has been aruging all week about how to replace them he says that it is better to do it with the motor left in the truck and i say it is better to pull it to replace them. it is a 1996 dodge ram 1500 5.9 v8 gas . looking for what you have to say

 

Certainly easier with the engine out....... (aside from the obvious of having to PULL the engine....) Don't have crap dripping on you either. Aside from that, if you are JUST replacing bearings..... just a matter of preference. On a honda I had to do bearings on, I lived with the drips, and did it with the engine in the car.

 

Well you could do the rod bearings with the motor in the truck, But how do you plan on doing the main bearings, the crank will still be attached to the ttc and even if you unbolt it will there be enough room to remove the crank to install the new bearings. And that crank ain't that light to be holding over your head. Pull it much easyer.

 

i dont see how you can test the oil clearance and tighten the bolts to spec with the motor still in since there is a 2 x 6 inc peace of frame running across the center.

 

So this is a two wheel drive truck? If so yep pull it. It would really help if you would stop and take the time to fill out your trucks info, just add it to your sig.

 

rod bearings would be easy enough with the motor in the truck.


this is a question - is it possible to loose the main caps and let the crank drop a little, and then replace the mains one at a time and never completely remove the crank ??
(otherwise its sort of heavy, so you'd need a couple of helpers)

 

Can you get the pan out of the way in a 2x4? Or do you have to raise the engine?

 

Why do you need to replace them? If you spun a bearing you most likely also damaged the crank and will need to rebuild the motor. Motor bearings are not a "wear item" and really require a motor rebuild if they are bad.

If you are going to replace them anyway it is pretty easy to pull the motor as it is easier to do any engine work on a stand and then you can put new gaskets in everywhere too.

 

do it right, pull the motor, put it on a stand and check the WHOLE thing out. i doubt your rod bearing is the only problem.

 

If it was a'knockin'..... I would check it for roundness as well, same for the crank journal. Need some micrometers for that kind of behavior though. Not sure if you can rent those.... and they ain't cheap to buy.