Has anyone ever tried changing the rod bearings while the engine is still in the car or is this completely impossible? The way I see it, the crankshaft is above the oil pan, so I would simply need to remove the oil pan to get to the crankshaft. From there you basically unscrew the rod and replace the bearing.

Am I being realistic?

 

May I ask why you think the bearings need replacement?

 

 

Yes, that could be a rod knock. When you remove the pan you will see an aluminum casting, not the crankshaft. If that is a rod knocking, replacing the bearing will solve nothing, the crankshaft will be damaged.
RJ___________________
'97 XK8 Conv. 85K mi

 

To better understand the way the engine bearings are sized, you need to download the V8/V6 engine course 168 I uploaded to the large file area. You don't just buy some bearings and install. There is a size matrix derived from the numbers on the side of the block.

As RJ237 stated, you will probably have a damaged crank.

bob gauff

 

motorcarman, that engine course is something I would be interested in, but I can't find it. Would you provide more specific instructions on the location, please?
RJ_______________
'97 XK8 Conv. 85K mi.

 

You can find it here:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...r-index-50609/

 

Hi
After you go to the Jaguar Forums Large Files Download Area webpage (use weblink provided by Norri), then use your internet brower "find on this page" function to go to the weblink for the tech training manual download using the term "Technical Training Guides".

Click on Technical Training Guides caption line in post# 1 (that will bring you to the jaguar large files download mediafire.com for Technical Training Guides folder, then click on the "Engine Repair Course 168 Code.pdf".

This will start the download of the 9 meg pdf file.

Jim Lombardi

 

Hi
Look at this forum thread and go to post# 9 (Connecting Rod Bearings R&I PDF from JTIS21) :

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...earings-59637/

Jim Lombardi

 

I think you will need to drop the engine cradle and somehow secure the motor from the top.
Once you take things apart you will know how extensive the damage is. If the rod bearings are in a visible shape take them to the dealer and they can match them by color. If they are beat into pulp than you can get them from the engine number and matrix like motorcarman said.

It's definitively more complicated than a Chevy 350 where all the bearings are the same. Depending on the measurements each bearing could be different, even the two halves on one rod could be different.

 

You need to understand what the "bed plate" is. What these fine folks are telling you is that in addition to the oil pan, there is a lower piece of the block called the bed plate that must be removed. To do so, you must remove the entire engine cradle (& suspension). It i s hard for me to believe that removing the engine from the car would not be easier, especially since once you get into it, you will probably decide to buy a used engine.

 

Just checked a Jaguar invoice, full crank and main bearing set is £414 ($600+) - only use oem, they come from Germany and are sourced from the dealer parts dept.

 

Do you recommend new parts? Or is there a possibility for me to salvage any parts from used engines. Or perhaps considering the work buy an entire engine? I'm not a very experiences mechanic but with the help of the engine course I feel a little bit more safe taking this thing apart.

 

I'd just change the bearing on the particular spun rod. Jag can match the bearings if you bring the old ones in (if the color is visible). They way it should cost you $50.

 

How heavy is the engine? I am buying a second hand engine hoist but not sure what capacity to choose. I found one for 60 bucks but has 3/4th tons capacity.

 

I recall reading an article on the original Nikasil build quoting a figure of 441 lbs for the basic engine unit less all ancilliaries.

Graham

 

Hi All. So there were discussions about replacing rod bearings from the bottom, what was the consensus? So far I'm seeing that you need to suspend the engine from the top. Remove the front subframe. Drop the oil pan and bed plate and you will have access to the rod bearings from the bottom. That the rod bearings can be different for each rod, and you can determine the right bearing by the engine code or taking the existing bearing to a dealer and having them match it up.

If one was going to remove the engine is there any way to remove the hood and pull it from the top? Most of my readings indicate dropping it from the bottom.

 

Put a 'good-used' engine in your car and go on with your life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've even r&r'd the engine without removing the hood. Just support and separate from the transmission, shift it forward a couple of inches and go straight up. I love the way the hood tilts forward. You'd think it'd make things harder to access but its just the opposite actually.

 

Good answer!