Hello, all has anyone ever changed the main bearings without removing the engine? I just heard about this and wanted to know if it was worth the trouble.

 

Why do you want to change the bearings? What are you driving? 2 or 4 wheel drive?

 

Description looks like a 4.7.

there is a cross member very close to the oil pan in the 3rd gen chassis, on a Cummins its never to impossible, lifting the motor would be a must.

A 4.7 may provide more possibility. I've had the oil pan off a 360 in chassis of a 2nd gen with ease and doing lower bearings wouldn't be to hard.

I would consider rod bearings as well if you're going to the effort. but also, I would ask your reasonings for such.

 

I have a 2WD. My reasoning is I have that dreaded low oil pressure at idle and it was just a quick fix. Some day I want to rebuild the engine when I have time.

 

Is it low at idle, or does it drop to zero? If the latter, if you give it a LITTLE bit of gas, does pressure come back up to something more reasonable?

Does it rattle at low RPM??

 

Sounds like your in the same boat I am. Goes really low at first and the light comes on, once fully warm it goes to zero at idle, but no rattle. I had though about doing a bearing set but also am wanting to rebuild a second motor and swap it out someday so I've been leaning more towards a high volume oil pump or switching to 15w-40 oil

 

Generally you pull the bearings and you're going to want to have the crank polished or machined... which is a pull the crank operation. I like the idea of getting a cheap used one, rebuild and swap it in over a weekend.

 

Yeah same thing for me. This has been going on for a few years.

 

No noise at idle and when it's warm it goes to 0. Been going on for a few years.

 

You could temporarily swap in a mechanical gauge for a second opinion, see if you are really zero at warm, or the factory sensor/gauge is wack. This is a cheap one, with a plastic line... I do not recommend as a replacement.