I am on the verge of doing an LE2 package and am somewhat concerned about all the spinning of rod bearings that seems to happen after people do a head and cam swap (anybody's head/cam package, not just one specific manufacturer).

Some say replcace the front cam bearing as well as the rod bolts. I am willing to do both but would like to know if I can replace the rod bolts (and the front cam bearing) and still leave the engine in the car.

I have recently replaced the pan gasket so I know the misery involved in removing the pan but would like to know if anyone has replaced rod bolts without removing the engine and what tips/tricks might they offer.

I searched on this particular issue and couldn't find any related posts.

Thanks.

 

I'm sure it's physically possible to do, but replacing the rod bolts will require that the big end of the rods be re-honed. This of course cannot be done with the rods in the engine. When you remove the old bolts and pres in new ones it will actually distort the big end. How much I don't know, but it's certainly not worth the risk to me. Since you're going to have the heads off anyways, you may as well pop the pistons/rods out, have new bolts installed/big ends honed, and put it all together with new rod bearings.

 

You cant get the oil pan off with the motor in the car any way
The oil pump hangs to low and the baffles get hung up.

 

Sure you can, it just takes some work.

 

Save yourself the headaches and Backaches literally and just pull the motor! Iv'e built two LT1's now and I speak from experience working on it out of the car takes a little longer but its allot easier on a motor stand.

 

Ya a lot of work
I've pulled my motor 4 times and I only tried it once, never again

 

Changing the pan gasket wasn't that bad. You just needed to pull the driver side engine mount bolt and jack the motor up. The pan will clear the baffle.

 

i did the same thing! but if you are planning to change rod bolts "In the car" you will say words that the devil himself wouldn't say! Find something else to change to give yourself the excuse to pull it otherwise leave the stock rod bolts in there. If you area worried about spinning bearings just pull it and change out all the bearings "just to be safe"

 

Besides pulling the motor will make it easier to swap the heads and cam. I would bet you would spend les time and frutration just pulling the motor and doing it all rather then doing it in the car...

 

I would not even think of trying to replace rod bolts with the engine in the car. While you have the engine out, replace all the bearings (incl cam), too.