[Shotimes] I hope my bearings are right!

[Paul L Fisher]

I had a rod knock at around 156K on my '93 ATX. I changed the rod bearings
and the #1 and #6 ones were badly worn. One half of the one closest to the
pulleys actually fell out in 2 pieces! The ones in the middle showed some
copper but seemed OK. There was no damage to the crank in my case.

I'll have to take your word about the SHO Forum reports. I haven't been on
there for a while. I don't like the Forum format.

I would agree that the ATX bearing should last longer due to the fact that
they cannot lug.


Paul L Fisher

1999 Ford Taurus SHO TR 68K - Kirk'ed 2/29/04.

 - Amsoil Series 2000 0W-30
 - Amsoil TS-124 Oiled Foam air filter

Visit my website: http://www.paul-fisher.com
SHOClub Member: http://www.shoclub.com
Amsoil dealer: http://www.paul-fisher.com/oil

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Tatro [mailto:stevetatro_shotimes@earthlink.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 7:36 AM
To: Paul L Fisher; Bobbonnit1@aol.com; SHOTIMES@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] I hope my bearings are right!

I have heard of one spun main bearing.  Contrary to Paul there are many,
many stories on SHOforum.com about spun rod bearings.

Even with 130k miles you should be okay, if you've been careful to do two
things over the years: (1) change the oil regularly and (2) don't lug the
engine!

Lots of people more knowledgeable than me have decided that lugging the
engine (when there's very low oil pressure) is what wears down the bearings.

This may explain why bearings seem to fail prematurely a lot more often on
MTX cars than the ATXers do.  It's tough to lug an engine with an ATX ;^)

If the car's been well cared for and well driven, you should be okay for
awhile longer.  There's a well known member of the SHOforum who finally
replaced his around 270k miles (IIRC) and found wear, but nothing out of the
ordinary.  He's convinced that with proper driving and maintenance the
bearings should be good for about 200k miles.

BUT, for about $60 in parts, if you have any worries about the history of
how the car was driven or maintained, replacement bearings are some cheap
insurance.

Also, a spun bearing does not mean the end of the engine.  There have been
many cases where the owner was simply able to replace the bearings and go on
his/her way.  As long as there isn't major damage to the crank bearing
journal it shouldn't be a serious issue.

Good luck,

Steve Tatro
Red/Black '93 with 178k miles (original rod bearings - planning to replace
this fall)
Monroe, Ohio

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul L Fisher <sho@paul-fisher.com>
Sent: Aug 4, 2004 7:25 AM
To: Bobbonnit1@aol.com, SHOTIMES@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: [Shotimes] I hope my bearings are right!

I have heard of zero spun main bearings. I have heard of 3 or 4 spun rod
bearings. The cars are getting old, people love running them to the 7K
redline.


Paul L Fisher

'99 Ford Taurus SHO Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic 68K - Kirk'ed 2/29/04
 
 - Amsoil Two-Stage Air Filter - TS-124
 - Amsoil Series 2000 0W-30
 - Amsoil Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
 
SHO Club member http://www.shoclub.com/
Check out my web site http://www.paul-fisher.com/
Amsoil dealer http://www.paul-fisher.com/oil.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Bobbonnit1@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 1:16 AM
To: SHOTIMES@autox.team.net
Subject: [Shotimes] I hope my bearings are right!

I hear alot of SHO's having a  problem with spun main bearings.  What's up 
with this?  Anybody ever  had this fatal mishap?  Is it a factory defect?   
Wassup?    
 
 
Robert K.   89'  130k  white   all oem
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