CGT: Rebuild or Swap?

[Huw Powell]

> Though I've moved on to another daily driver, the fact remains that I have
> two Coupes (one for parts) sitting in the parking lot.
>
> So!  The parts car has what's proven to be a pretty reliable engine; unknown
> mileage (but probably pushing 300K) and no terrible noises except for a
> faint lifter tick (or is that the brake vac pump rod?).  Served reliably
> with decent power for many thousands of miles; the car could go 112, which
> is just 3mph under a CGT's rated top speed.
>
> The "good" car has a bad engine, though, some sort of terrible clunking
> noise which a mechanic said was a bad rod.  The only information about rod
> knock I've been able to find indicates the bearings just need to be
> replaced, assuming the crankshaft hasn't been royally fudged.
>
> Now, bearing in mind that I have limited cash and very limited tools, is a
> rod bearing replacement going to be inexpensive or effective assuming I can
> track down someone to help me with it?  Or should I just stick to my
> sockets, bite the bullet, and pull the parts engine?

As much of a pain that replacing that rod bearing would be, swapping
engines will make it look like child's play, unless you have a very
enthusiastic friend with an engine hoist and a weekend or two to kill.

The bearing is only so-so bad, helps if you can identify which one it
is.  Drain oil, drop pan (need new gasket), maybe remove oil pickup for
easier access (needs new gasket), undo rod bolts, separate, remove old
bearing, clean up, lube surfaces with build-lube, reassemble.  You could
do all the rods, to be sure, I suppose.

My old 5kt had this problem once, years ago.  Friend at a local shop did
it for me, somehow he knew which bearing ot replace because he only did
one.  Fixed it good.

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/