So the other day i bought my next truck to flip. Its an 02 ram 1500 4x4 4.7 red sport package. It has motor problems (reason i got it to fix and flip). When checking it out it had no visible oil on the dip stick. Started it up and sounds like the wosrt truck yet. Has timing chain slap and maybe a slight knock until oil pressure builds up. Started the tear down today and it is sludged up bad. The question i have is how bad can a crankshaft be and it only need polishing and new bearing? Also polishing the camshaft "bearing" sections. I just want to do whats right for the motor but not spend money on machining that it doeant need if thats the case. Seeing this motor all sludged up and timing chain loose with guides broke and metal in the oil has made me think that these 4.7s dont get the credit they deserve. It still ran strong after all the abuse.

 

There should be specs for acceptable dimensions, and out-of-round for the main bearing journals...... Measure 'em out, see what ya get.

 

Thanka for the response heyyou. I will check the haynes manual for specs.
Might have to give plastigage a try. Never used it before. Anyone have any tips for using the plastigage? might be a new go to on all the engine rebuilds i get myself into

 

Plastigage is actually pretty useful, and easy at that..... I generally put three pieces on the journal, about 50 degrees apart. Torque the mainbearing cap, then check the plastigage. Not as accurate as a micrometer.... but, it works. (especially when all you are really concerned about is bearing clearances.)