Leaving town, tomorrow. Need to tell the shop how to handle the following issues. I'm having a local truck shop replace the oil pan. In addition to replacing the oil pan, they are replacing bottom bearings, seals and gaskets. They encountered the following problems.

(1) A small piece of metal is enbedded in one the crank journals about a 1/16". The journal is in good shape with only a minor scar. It appears the piece of metal could be scrapped off and journal buffed without too much problem. What would you do?

(2) One of the crank bolts will not torque to spec. The threads seem to be giving way. Best way to fix?

Thanks helping
Rick Burns, Shelton, WA 360-426-7245



It's a 98' extended cab flat bed with 317,000 miles in OK to good condition for the mileage. KDP fiixed, no mods to speak of,

 

On the crank journal-polish it and let it ride, IF it's smooth to the fingernail after polishing. For the threads-pull the cap and helicoil it. Then, reinstall bolt and torque to spec.

 

Thanks V8440 for taking the time to reply. That's about what I was thinking of telling the shop in the am.

Helicore?? I remember using a Timecert (solid type helicore) in the past with good results. Although, it didn't look like there was enough room widthwise to do the Timecert.

I wonder how long I could expect these repairs to last? Should I start thinking about upgrading? I baby the rig and keep up on the maintence. The beast is pretty mechanically sound. At 317,000, you can imagine I've done a good amount of work on this rig, myself, friends and others.

rick

 

Yup, and Time-sert are a bit better than helicoil IMO. Do you mean the bolts that hold the lower end of the connecting rod together? I wonder if a thread insert is safe on such a part. You might want to confirm that with a machinist. Other options might be to replace the rod or tap to the next size up.
Id also hone the journal and re-use it, but have them plastigauge it and make sure the new clearance isnt too much.
BTW, If I was in the lower end like that, Id look into upgrading the piston cooler nozzles to metal ones. I think theyre usually plastic.

 

kawi600,

The bolt in question holds the crank to the block. Seems to me that Helicore should be ok for this application. I like you would wouldn't trust Helicore on a rod bearing. rick

 

If it is not already. When fixing the bolt, I would change it over to a stud. This way the stud can be ran in all of the way and then tightened down with a nut. Use loctite blue on everything in their.

As far as the bearing, polish it and it will be fine if it is smoth as said before.

After this the truck should be ready for another couple hundred though.

good luck, keep us posted.