AMC 304 help

[frenchy]

Is it real bad when 2 or 3 of your connecting rods have a bit of play in them?

Engine had low oil pressure, pulled it quick. Just starting to peak inside...
Oil pickup screen is fairly clean, but has been sitting for a while.
Lotsa sludge in oil pan, I'm thinking maybe the oil lines are getting plugged, and/or or the crushed oil filter is causing problems...
or
Main bearings?

Any Ideas?

[tufcj]

Side/side play, or up/down. A bit of side/side play can usually be felt, but if you can move the rods up/down without moving the crank, you have some serious bearing problems.

Bob
tufcj

[frenchy]

The rod to piston is tight, So no up/down movement from the top.

but on the lower side, front/back movement and side to side on the crank.

So, replace connecting rod and main bearings ?

[runnamuck]

pull the rod ends off and check the bearings for wore spots, then plasti-guage to check clearance. this should let you know bearing condition. probably can just get by with cover/pump, and cleaning of sheetmetal.

[frenchy]

Thanks.
Maybe a real newbie question here, but i must know... LOL

Does the crank need to come out to replace these bearings or can it be loosened off enough to slip them in/out?

[PaintedRat]

I'd think you would have a hard time getting your main bearings in without screwing up the seal in the timing cover, and maneuvering with the timing chain on. If the timing is off, you might as well just pull the crank. I've had to get at the rod bearings with the crank in, and it wasn't too bad.

[runnamuck]

if your just conserned about rod bearing the crank doesn't need to come out. if you're doing main bearing you could probably can roll them in and out. if it's a oil related problem like you lead on, (you did check oil pressure with a know good mechanical gauge?) most of the oil pressure comes from the cam bearings. that's why the smaller hole cam bearings work.

here's the choice you must make.
1> slap a new pump/cover on, check adapter/springs, and see what happens. by far the cheapest.

2> sack up and go throughout the engine. not so cheap.

but hey what do i know.

[Penguin]

If you have low pressure you most likely need to replace the mains.
And it is much easier to pull the crank.