Come Join the "I Changed My Own IMSB Club"

[healthservices]

Last one I did was on a car with ~256k and it appears to be the original bearing so I think it was probably getting close to the end of its service life...

http://986forum.com/forums/396523-post10.html

[flaps10]

What the hell? Four posts in and no one has attempted to shut this thread down as paranoia?

I've posted my EPS roller install here in this sub forum, but if you would like to data collect in a specific manner I'll put up the specifics.

[78F350]

I was fortunate to have a bad engine to practice on before I worked on my good engine. I had the Pelican Parts kit, a LN Retrofit tool, the 101 projects book, the Bentley manual, and a set of factory service manuals. I reviewed several threads here and watched some decent YouTube videos before I started.
The problem came when I tried putting in the set-screws that came with the Pelican kit and realized that one of them was not in contact the IMS with the engine set to TDC. So I unlocked the camshaft and rotated the crankshaft slightly until all three screws had a grip. Having read through a variety of procedures, I was not following any one in particular. Heck, how hard can it be?
The bearing came out pretty easily, but once it was out it the set-screws shifted and the shaft moved about 1/4 - 3/8" inch to the side. Re-installing the old bearing in the bad engine I managed to get the bearing in position, but never fully installed the cover.
Lesson learned: Set-scews are bad. Pinning at TDC and locking the cam from the start, until fully reinstalled is good.
Installing the bearing in my good engine went pretty well. I did the procedure in this guide which is pretty much like the one from LN, but with great color pictures.
Both bearings were dual row with about 125k miles and rolled pretty smoothly, but the grease was completely gone and the shafts had foul smelling oil inside.
My related threads:
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/54527-maint-do-swapping-used-2-7-a.html
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/54660-little-scoring-2-rod.html
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/54973-got-my-salvage-01-road.html

Enough about me. We need to get the summary of the Gonzojive adventure in this thread.

[Jake Raby]

Lesson learned: Set-scews are bad.

Yet people keep doing it. I haven't read or heard of one instance where someone used them and loved the concept. Not once.

[jsceash]

I'm sure I'll get flamed but hear goes. I've done 4 LN bearings.

1. I bought the LN bearing and tool kit 2010 when I replaced the clutch in my 2.7 original motor (36.5K). This was done with the motor in the car, with LNs tools. I pinned the crank. Locked the cams released tension on the chain as note on Pelican's instruction and I used set screws that were 35mm long they worked out just fine. This motor was removed running at about 47K January 2013.

2. My 3.2/3.6 motor upgrade rebuild. I replace with LN bearing when the motor was going back together. I pulled it with LN's tool, installed with a press and LNs sleeve. This was done the winter of 2012-13 along with an LN cylinder resize, pistons, valves, springs, all gaskets bearings and some head work. Other than the LN cylinder work, everything else I did. It ran great the first time it turned over.

3. I removed the 3.6 motor again with a lot of on track time this past winter 2014-15 to make sure there was no serious problems because it had a lifter tap on cylinder 4. While it was out I decided to make more improvements ended up adding new rods, bearings, gaskets, heads from a 2006 that were almost new just over 10,000 miles machine work on the heads, and another new LN bearing. The bearing again the same way as the last one, was done as the motor was being reassembled. It ran well and has been track tested.

4. My Insurance motor the original 2.7 just finished rebuilding from the inside out. Stock everything but a LN sump spacer X51 style baffle and new LN IMS.

[Jamesp]

Originally Posted by jsceash

I'm sure I'll get flamed but hear goes. I've done 4 LN bearings.

I'm hoping nobody gets flamed in this string. I'm certainly not flaming anyone. The intent is to create a string that anyone who is thinking about changing the IMSB can visit and get concentrated information on what people did, and why. That includes everyone and every idea on the fix. I was hoping for the benefits for a roller bearing discussion as folks with technical backgrounds have made that choice. No flames, just a technical discussion on why each solution was chosen. And I too am hoping for Gonzojive.

[Viper10000]

I finally got my car back together after doing an imsb replacement. I went with the pelican bearing since I already had a single row bearing with a lot of mileage. I will be treating it as a maintenance item and just replace it every so often. I haven't decided how often yet but the car only gets about 5,000 miles a year.so I should be good for a while. The hardest part was disassembling everything to get to the bearing. Putting everything back together was much easier with the exception of reinstalling the transmission. That was a pain! Otherwise, with the proper tools and instructions (thanks Jake!) it was actually a breeze. Keep your workspace neat and keep track of where everything goes and there shouldn't be any issues. And thanks again to all on this forum for advice and insight!