A Weekend On My Back

[DougF]

Stopped at TRF last week to buy new main bearings. I've been driving the 6 a lot lately; probably have close to 4,000 miles on it so far this season. The engine is tired.
My plans were to replace the main and rod bearings, and rings.
My first problem was the rod bearings that I thought were on the shelf were actually mains. No problem, the pan was already off so I'll just replace the mains and inspect the rods. I pulled the first main cap to discover they were thoroughly shot. I got the top half of the bearing out pretty easily, but when fitting the new, it would only go half way and get stuck. What to do!
I called some friends who only had experience with rod bearing swaps while the engine was in the car. Someone had to have done this job before. I didn't have time to get on the forum, so I ventured alone.
I had to get the car running by Monday morning.
I decided to remove all main and rod bearing caps. Aha! That provided the necessary clearance needed. With the mains secured, I moved on to the rods. They weren't good but were better than the mains. New thrust washers and I was done. I didn't keep track of the hours spent on my back trying to sort things out. Several other things which I won't bother getting into ate up a lot of time.
I ran out of time and couldn't get to the rings. Probably won't since the head is on firmly. If I get motivated, I'll try the string trick. I will probably get the rod bearings some other day.
I need to allow the antifreeze burns on my back to heal. Must be allergic.
I found that orange hand cleaner works well at getting motor oil out of your hair. Must have been the pumice.
The car ran much smoother today with no sign of oil on the rear bumper. A wasted weekend wasn't a total waste after all.
Can't wait to finish my new engine.

 

[Brosky]

You don't appreciate clean water until you've ended up with anti-freeze running all over your face and into your eyes and mouth. One of the hazards of the "on your back" repair jobs, which is why I won't do them anymore.

Go-Jo was good for the hair too, but it smelled for days.

 

[DougF]

I really prefer working on clean engines from above on a nice stand with a cold drink and no deadline.

 

[Banjo]

Watched the guy in the bay next to me get 3rd degree burns when an adapter on a coolant flush machine came apart. He got hosed with 200+ deg coolant. Not cool. He was outta work for 6 months and still has nasty scars.
I know you were talking chemical reaction type burns, but it made me think of that. Coolant can be nasty stuff.
GLad to hear your project went well.
Tomorrow night is motor swap night on my dads Volvo. Get started on that, and hopefully be done before BBQ time on the 4th.

 

[Brosky]

The worst I ever saw was a high pressure grease line rupture and it was wrapped around the techs arm when he was working in a tight area. The hose burst and caused a four inch gash in his arm. He had grease forced under his skin and into the muscle and tissue. He was in the hospital for a month with blood poisoning. He nearly lost his arm on that one.

It can be a very dangerous trade if you are not careful, and sometimes, even if you are.

 

[DougF]

I'll take my chemical reaction any day over those two. I've see the scars of some nasty old injuries. Shattered knuckles, cut tendons and other things I wouldn't wish on anybody.
Burns have got to be one of the worst. I don't want to even think about the other.

 

[tdskip]

I found that orange hand cleaner works well at getting motor oil out of your hair. Must have been the pumice.

LOL