[Shotimes] rod bearings

[Dave Garber]

 Its not a 'wives tale'. I spent the better part of my teenage/early
20's years building engines and lugging DOES wear on the rod bearing
real quick.

The best analogy I can think of is a ten speed bike. Remember those
'spiked' pedals some of them used to come with? Picture yourself
pedaling one of those barefoot in first gear from a stop - pretty easy I
suspect. But, try it again in 10th gear and watch as your feet begins to
bleed. 

The problem is you're exerting all that pressure and getting very little
movement. So you're exerting that pressure longer with little 'relief'.
The effect is exasperated in an engine because at low RPM's, there is a
lot less oil pressure AND  a lot less volume to the rods. The end result
is the bearing surfaces wear out quicker.

When I had my 5spd SHO, I liked to keep the RPM's at 2k or above any
time I was driving. Ron Porter calls it the 2k rule I believe?  :)


Dave Garber
Pittsburgh, PA
99 White

-----Original Message-----
From: John Weidenbenner [mailto:johnjweid@earthlink.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 10:34 AM
To: 'David Schultz'; shotimes@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] rod bearings

The 3.2 oil pump capacity is 25% greater than the 3.0 pump. This has to
be a major reason why the 3.0 is so hard on rod bearings. Not everyone
believes that lugging the engine kills the rod bearings. Lugging the
engine on a worn engine will sometimes make the oil pressure light
flicker at near stall speed, but that's just showing you the condition
of the lubrication system.
I believe its just an old wives tail. Anyone have any real proof?

Sometimes just rod bearing replacement will increase the oil pressure
enough. To do it right replace the rod & main bearings and the oil pump.

John W.