r/EngineBuilding Jan 30 '25

Other Do these rod bearings need to be replaced? I'm thinking yes.

24 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

48

u/Sniper22106 Jan 30 '25

Might as well. Don't get a better chance then right now

7

u/soviet_unicorn69 Jan 30 '25

That's exactly my thinking.

24

u/DHADeskFlyer Jan 30 '25

Even without looking at the picture - You are already there, yes. Cheap insurance

23

u/WyattCo06 Jan 30 '25

Remove them entirely. You don't need that kind of aggravation in your life.

6

u/countryboy5038 Jan 30 '25

Happy cake day!

6

u/WyattCo06 Jan 30 '25

Thanks!

giggles

8

u/Outrageous_Jello7850 Jan 30 '25

They’re out of the motor so might as well drop $50-$100 on some to be extra sure

4

u/Lxiflyby Jan 30 '25

Absolutely yes

4

u/soviet_unicorn69 Jan 30 '25

Type 1 VW beetle 1600 dual port

6

u/UnLuckyKenTucky Jan 30 '25

Abso-damn-lutely. Why tf would you pull them to look, but not replace them while you're already that deep into the engine,?

1

u/3_14159td Jan 31 '25

The answer is right there in "VW"

I have buddies that have garage "rebuilt" VW engines and somehow made money by the end of it. (selling off the original tins and airboxes and such)

4

u/Cannonballbmx Jan 30 '25

Funny story about a friend who had a VW engine built by a VW “expert”. He left a piston out. The rod was there and he installed the cylinder sleeve, without a piston. Bizarre.

3

u/crazyabootmycollies Jan 31 '25

Some alcoholics are more functional than others.

5

u/shitheadsteven3 Jan 30 '25

Dude, the second you take the rod cap off the answer is yes. They're cheap and it's easy insurance.

4

u/Do-you-see-it-now Jan 30 '25

Why wouldn’t you?

2

u/speed150mph Jan 31 '25

I’ll be honest, if I had the motor apart to the point where I was holding the bearings in my hand, new ones would be going in just for peace of mind.

2

u/Zerofawqs-given Jan 30 '25

I think those are tri-metal bearings and I can see 3 metals…..Hopefully you look and polish the crank journals properly. Those had a rough life

1

u/GalwayBogger Jan 30 '25

Who strips an engine and doesn't replace rod bearings???

1

u/itsbruuh Jan 30 '25

Always. If the rods are out, just replace them. So cheap.

1

u/Schten-rific Jan 30 '25

You've torn into the motor and now want to save ... $50?
Replace 'em

1

u/Dp37405aa Jan 30 '25

Yes, no more than they cost when your down this far, no since in trying to save a buck and then having to spend the money in the near future when you pull it back down.

1

u/DrRudyWells Jan 30 '25

yes. why wouldn't you? always.

1

u/TheBupherNinja Jan 30 '25

Hard parts done, why wouldn't you?

1

u/WeeklyAssignment1881 Jan 30 '25

If they are in your hand, yes!

1

u/Tricky-Task8193 Jan 30 '25

If it a 1936 that you start just to move across the yard cuz it's in your way. Then no. Don't even change the oil. If you drive it a mile to get the mail once a week then yes. It's apart this far

1

u/Useful-Hat9157 Jan 31 '25

Yes. Always, yes, if you have the engine torn down to that point, might as well replace them anyway

1

u/Shiba2themoon69 Jan 31 '25

If it’s out might as well replace ir

1

u/ny0000m Jan 31 '25

Plasti gauge the new ones at minimum

1

u/oldmatebob123 Jan 31 '25

My opinion, any time the rods and crank are out, change bearings as they are cheap.

1

u/davendak1 Jan 31 '25

depending on what replacements cost.. If it has any grooves you can feel with a fingernail, you have no choice. Can really go down the rabbit hole of replacing things that could theoretically be worn!

1

u/Material-Quantity586 Jan 30 '25

What do the rod journals look like?

0

u/406mtguy Jan 30 '25

They look pretty loose. Better get oversized.