which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

OK, on a "good" running small block Chevy engine, no visible or audible issues...

If I want to take a quick look at a main bearing and rod bearing, looking for general condition of bearings, which would you pull?

Know it is best to look at everything, and know that any one could be an odd draw, if machine issues were off, etc. Just looking for opinions.

thanks
Ken

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

More times than not when a SB spins a bearing and breaks a rod for some reason it was usually on #5 and 6 rod journal....

I have no good reason why that is true but saw it many times...

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

I agree with Rich, been my experience too. If you use a trans brake,with a loose converter,the thrust bearing wears quickly.

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

Thanks Guys.
Much appreciated.

Ken

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

Normally I'll look at #2 and #4 mains, as any crank flex usually shows up there first.

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

I have a 350 in a work truck with a knock. A friend who owns a repair shop told me to pull the ones farthest from the oil pump first.
I haven't been able to do it yet. I had shoulder surgery in the fall and can't work over head. Something tells me a new short block is in my future...

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

2 and 4 on mains due to crank bending on rods I was taught to do the first pair of rods that get oil from pump. Reason if pump sucks air (runs out of oil) it will show up there rod journal 1 & 5 on a small block Ford.

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

Always #2 & #4 on the mains ,even if the rods look good ,which they sometimes do, those two mains are the precursors to doom !

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

If the pan is off. Why not check all of them for the time it takes? That way you won't be wondering. MB.

Re: which main and rod bearing to check first?
 

I used to buy 454 core Chev engines. If 5 & 6 rod bearings were good, the rest were good. If they were bad, you usually would find a burned main bearing.