rio red

Hello, I have to inspect and replace one or more rod bearings in my '99 Cobra motor due to the early stages of bearing failure from a low oil problem (a story for another time). The Ford shop manual describes an in car procedure that uses the top side lifting tool to raise the engine enough to clear the front subframe cross member so you can drop the pan. It is a dealer method to save time (for any dealer that actually works on modular motors instead of replacing them).

Before pulling the motor I am trying to find anyone that has anyone actually used this procedure to get to the bottom end and see if they were able to get the job done this way or still wound up pulling the motor to get access. Of course the procedure is betting on a bearing insert replacement only and not a crank removal.

Thanks in advance.

mfj

Yes, i have done it... it does work... it will save you from pulling your engine...

rio red

Thanks much......did you drop out the cross member altogether when you used this method or just loosen it as the manual seems to be suggesting?

mfj

I dropped it... less crap in the way...

rio red

Thanks, I was leaning that way but didn't know if I was asking for more trouble by trying to get the crossmember out. BTW, were you in there to replace rod bearings as well and if so, how did that turn out? I am hoping since this is early stages, the crank will be clean and I can get away with just the inserts. Thx again.....

mfj

Yes, it was for rod bearings... The engine that was in my car, at the time, was built by a crap shop, call AMP... Local customers here in AZ know that the shop is crap, and only good for buying parts from... Granted, this was over two years ago now...

My rod and main bearings were scored, and we knew there was bearing material in the oil...

Well the bearing replacement went well, but the engine went out a month later...

Ehmark

ouch . Sounds like you have similar engine luck to me lol lets hope our luck changes.

mfj

hahahaha!!! i have much confidence in my new set up, lol...