Possible Engine Build for my 93 Truck

[dieselolds]

The way the seal is showing in your picture is the way it should be installed upon the engine block and main cap with the front of the engine facing the arrow direction.

 

[dbrannon79]

Plastigauge... do I need to clean the oil off the bearings and crank before using? I assume it's a wax compound, brake cleaner to get it off once used? I need to look up a video on how it's used.

 

[dieselolds]

Plastigauge... do I need to clean the oil off the bearings and crank before using? I assume it's a wax compound, brake cleaner to get it off once used? I need to look up a video on how it's used.

Both the crank and bearing should be dry.Also no oil should be found on the back of the bearing or on the main cap or rod cap.Once you check the clearance and remove the main or rod cap a light amount of oil will soften the plastigauge and you can scrape it off with your fingernail.Thats the way I’ve always done it.

 

[ak diesel driver]

I was told you can get different specs for with oil or even hanging from the block as in checking it in the vehicle

 

[dbrannon79]

I need to find the tolerance specs, I know most engines have a factory spec and a max tolerance and still be ok.

one question I would have is, is there a thickness measurement of the bearings where I could tell how much gain there would be with new or how thick they should be.

 

[ak diesel driver]

To be clear it was a plastigage tolerance I was talking about. One of the things you'd have to take into account is the select fit bearings. I've heard they use like a colored mark different colors equals different sizes. Personally for what you're doing if they visually look good I'd run them. Otherwise do a full on rebuild

 

[dbrannon79]

Yeah I I think that is the best bet here. I was reading about the select fit bearings. it sounded complicated to me. from what I understood from it was they take different thickness bearings, could be used on the cap or the opposite side too, but the factory was the only ones that did that.

I was only thinking about thickness for wondering once I plasti-gauge them and see that clearance is mediocre or at max, but still ok to run. thinking there is wear on the crank too and new bearings would only gain a minuscule amount that wouldn't be worth the expense in the outcome. (me overthinking it once again)

this engine supposedly only has about 140k miles on it so as long at everything else checks out, I will be good to run them as is with a fresh gasket set and the valves sealing up. Of course new timing chain and common wear parts too!