99 5.4 rod knock
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99 5.4 rod knock
so i've had alittle mishap and i found this post on here that best describes what i'm hearing:
Rod Knock:
Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance noises are usually a light rap or clatter much less in intensity than main bearing knocks and the loudest when the engine is "floating" or running with a light load at from 25 to 35 mph. The noise will become louder as engine speed is increased. By grounding out each of the spark plugs, one at a time, you can determine from which cylinder the noise is coming. The noise may not be eliminated entirely by grounding, but it will be reduced considerably in intensity. The easiest way to ground out the cylinders is by inserting a 1.5" piece of 5/32" vacuum hose on each terminal on the distributor cap, and then placing the spark plug wires over the vacuum hose. With the alligator clip end of a non-powered 12 volt test lamp attached to ground, touch the test light tip to the vacuum hose to ground out that cylinder.
so i started to pull the pan last night but figured out the engine would need to be lifted to get drop the pan. so i was wondering how hard it is to replace the rod bearings, whats all involed. thanks
Rod Knock:
Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance noises are usually a light rap or clatter much less in intensity than main bearing knocks and the loudest when the engine is "floating" or running with a light load at from 25 to 35 mph. The noise will become louder as engine speed is increased. By grounding out each of the spark plugs, one at a time, you can determine from which cylinder the noise is coming. The noise may not be eliminated entirely by grounding, but it will be reduced considerably in intensity. The easiest way to ground out the cylinders is by inserting a 1.5" piece of 5/32" vacuum hose on each terminal on the distributor cap, and then placing the spark plug wires over the vacuum hose. With the alligator clip end of a non-powered 12 volt test lamp attached to ground, touch the test light tip to the vacuum hose to ground out that cylinder.
so i started to pull the pan last night but figured out the engine would need to be lifted to get drop the pan. so i was wondering how hard it is to replace the rod bearings, whats all involed. thanks
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 26
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From: Loyalton Ca.
stretch104, I had some of these same issues you can follow some of my posts. I dropped my pan on a 1998 f150 4x4 in about an hour. I dropped down the front axle , I left in the forward most bolt on the front axle. I removed the cross arm and the pan came out easy.I have not put it back together yet. The rod bearings are easy to replace. The trouble I'm having is that the previous owner let this go to long and one of the bearings damaged a rod journal pretty bad and im not sure if a standard bearing will last very long. I have about 8 thousands wear .Maybe someone out there has an idea on damaged rods. All the other rods bearings had only minor wear so I'm putting in standard bearings, and they will be fine. My ideas on the damaged rod are, put in a .002 oversize O.D.bearing for possible rod damage and see what the plastigage says ,or second put in a .010 over size rod bearind, plastigage it and see if that might work. Every one says i'll have to rebuild or put in a new engine. I figure a days work was worth the time, I hate right now to pull engine. We did this 70,000 miles ago on my 78 351 f150 and it still sounds good so I know this repair can work long term. Good Luck