Tim, your present oil pressure isn't bad at all. However, you are correct
in assuming that it is a good idea to replace the bearings. Those are the
most common failure points on the MGB engine.
You could replace the big end bearing with the engine in place, you'll never
be able to replace all the mains. You might as well bite the bullet and
remove the engine. Having the engine on a stand is much better than lying
under the car with oil dripping on your face.
The problem you will face is what to do when the engine is out? Why not
pull the head, and measure the bores. Hmm the head is off, wouldn't it be a
good time to do a valve job? Measuring the bore means the pistons are out,
why not install new rings? Installing new rings, why not hone the
cylinders..... You get the idea.
Good luck.
Larry Hoy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Timfboston@aol.com
> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 9:39 AM
> To: mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Bearing Replacement
>
> I have been obsessing over my oil pressure since last months
> thread on the subject. I have put more miles on my daily
> driver '71 MGB than most people would believe, but never
> knew/thought to do the "recommended 30,000 mi big end bearing
> and 50,000 main bearing/thrust washer replacement. (until
> now) Those mile markers have come and gone many, many miles
> ago. The oil pressure was always 75 running warm 50 idle,
> until after I put a new clutch on this winter. After I got
> the car back together I did not have oil pressure. (no
> movement on the gauge) Obviously an elec. problem caused by
> getting the wires out of the way while putting the engine
> back in. But after I played withe the wires and started
> getting a reading it was still low(25). Changed the Fram oil
> filter and got a higher reading 65 on start up and 50-55
> warm. (did not know so many people had problems with Fram oil
> filters until checking the archives) I wonder if a bad
> filter could cause damage?
>
> Regardles, I plan on trying to get back up to the upper limit
> on the oil pressure again. So here is what I plan to do:1.
> Raise the front of the car on jack stands2. Unbolt the engine
> mounts and raise the engine to get to the oil pan bolts3.
> Remove oil pan Unsure of the following. Any
> advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
> 4. ?Unbolt/remove and replace the big end bearings one at a
> time. (How do you get to the top half of the bearing?
> 5. Can you replace the main bearings/thrust washers with the
> engine still in the car? Is there a special tool? Where
> would I get one? If I can't replace with the engine still in
> the car, can I at least replace the bottom half of the
> bearings? Or should I just leave it alone?
> Anything else I should do (while leaving the engine in)?
> Things to buy?New oil pan gasketBig end bearingsMain
> bearingsThrust washers Thanks TimNew Racing Green 1971 MGB
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