No the engine isn't out. And yes I remember those holes but don't remember what I did with them. Will have to look at some old pictures and see if I have any of that area.

 

Here are those two plugs in the holes.



I'm not seeing them coming loose but anything is possible.



And the timing plate over them.

 

While you have the oil pan off, I'd certainly check the other main bearings to ensure they're in good shape while you're waiting for the heads to come back from the machine shop. If that tune hasn't been corrected, that may be causing your oil psi drop, as the oil viscosity is being quickly diluted by raw fuel.

 

HHhhmmm... yeah, I tend to agree, I don't see those plugs coming out, especially with that plate on there. That's just odd.

 

Yes, I use that same plate/timing chain tensioner. The only difference is that I drilled a small hole through the center of one of the bolts to provide a bit more oil onto the timing chain..

 

I was trying not pull the others since it was a royal PITA to get #3 main cap retorqued from underneath but I can pull them.

I agree I don't see them coming lose but as they say anything can happen.

When I was assembling the engine I'd seen some of the mods that others had done to these.

 

It's certainly no fun doing that job on your back, but the peace of mind knowing that main bearings are indeed fine before re-installing the oil pan is priceless.

 

It's more than just being on my back. I had a hack of a time doing #3 main cap due to room. Between the frame and suspension links there just isn't a lot of room underneath there. But I get what you're saying too. I need to pickup some Green plastigauge first. And I'm not looking forward to doing #5 main cap with the rear main seal.

Fingers crossed that this will fix all my drivability issues and I can finally move forward with this thing.

 

I've got another question that maybe one of you all can answer. For setting the fuel sync I've used a SnapOn scanner but is there a better scanner that can see things like injector pulse width & other sensor functions?

 

I would think the Snap On would..... Which one ya got? The MT2500 I used could see those on GM cars at least.....