Rod Bearings Inspection

[former 240 s14]

Originally Posted by charliev68

Trust me…I know about MBs and rebuilding an S65 and what it involves.
At 150k I believe it is not necessary. Main bearings don’t wear down as aggressively as rod bearings.
I believe main bearing #1s are spinning because people are using too loose of a clearance in their rod bearings!
This is just my hypothesis after personally tearing down and rebuilding the s65.
This other engine is just my spare engine. I don’t think it’s necessary to replace the MBs.

Have to disagree but it's your money not mine. I have seen many S65s with OEM main bearing failure too. There is a great video talking this on Youtube that is worth a watch....

.

Rubin

[spammysammich]

#1 main he spun at COTA vs a neighboring main. Oil ports completely smeared shut. Block was cracked so he couldn’t use it as a core. Sourced an engine that had been on fire up top. Turns out it had a broken piston as well but the walls were good enough to bore out for a 4.2 and the mains were good.

[charliev68]

Originally Posted by former 240 s14

Have to disagree but it's your money not mine. I have seen many S65s with OEM main bearing failure too. There is a great video talking this on Youtube that is worth a watch.... https://youtu.be/EufAV2UIIAM?si=SscOEWv_j1Rjnumk .

Rubin

I have watched this video! I totally disagree with them. They’re just trying to sell their services to bore out the #1 main and put in their sleeve. If you think that’s the solution, I don’t know what to tell you.

[RocketyMan]

Originally Posted by former 240 s14

Yes, it was to pull the enigne, new block, built heads (minus cams), and all new gaskets seals etc.

The previous builder didn't even measure bearing clearance, his excause was "it's not a race engine." Sad thing is this guy has a relatively good reputation but karma is finally catching up it sounds like.

Rubin

It's not a race engine? Really? Something that goes nearly 8500 rpms and is on an ///M chassis?


Anyway...not trying to thread jack.

[former 240 s14]

Originally Posted by charliev68

I have watched this video! I totally disagree with them. They’re just trying to sell their services to bore out the #1 main and put in their sleeve. If you think that’s the solution, I don’t know what to tell you.

I didn't do this for my rebuild, but I don't disagree with their diagnosis. Fact is there is NO definitive answer at this point but the fact remains mains are failing at an increasing rate. The proof is in the limited amount of S65's that are out there available on the secondary market that are actually in running shape. Even Partee is having trouble finding usable blocks. We went through two spare blocks to find one that could work.

Good luck on your rebuild, gotta support the community regardless if we agree on semantics!

Rubin

[former 240 s14]

Originally Posted by RocketyMan

It's not a race engine? Really? Something that goes nearly 8500 rpms and is on an ///M chassis?

You are not wrong. The sad thing is this was the 3rd motor in the car after this shop worked on it.

First Motor - Only Rod bearings - they failed

Second Motor - Only Rod bearings even though customer (not me) wanted to do mains too, the shop advised against it as they aren't a problem (according to them. Motor failed

Third Motor - Complete rebuild but motor failed after 14k miles (under my ownership.)

Fourth Motor - Sleeved overbored S65 with forged pistons and mixed (HX and STD) main bearings and HX Rod Bearings from ACL....along with a bunch of other mods. Engine life - TBD lol.

Rubin

[charliev68]

What shop was this?

[former 240 s14]

Originally Posted by charliev68

What shop was this?

I have decided not to pubiclly call them out but I see you are in CA, they are no where near you as they are located in the Mid West.

If anyone in the Mid-West wants to confirm their shop isn't the one I am talking about feel free to PM me.

Rubin