Quick rebuild question

[LA_phantom_240]

So my buddy bought an s13 which was supposed to have had the oil pump replaced and a bottom end refresher. Shortly after he bought it, he figured he messed up the wire going to his oil pressure gauge because it no longer read. Turns out, he drove a month and a half on 3psi of oil pressure. Now he has a rod knocking and has stopped driving it. I told him we can replace the front cover assembly and rod/main bearings and call it a day. Others say to replace the rods, which entails a shit ton more work.

Can we get away with using the old rods, and doing the bearing/front cover install with the motor only lifted a bit to get the pan off, or is it necessary to pull the motor out entirely and replace the rods as well? I'm not replacing the rods with the motor still in the car... might as well pull it out.

[statik]

Can we get away with using the old rods, and doing the bearing/front cover install with the motor only lifted a bit to get the pan off, or is it necessary to pull the motor out entirely and replace the rods as well? I'm not replacing the rods with the motor still in the car... might as well pull it out.

With the amount of driving he did without oil to anything, id say you are fucked, id do bearings and rods at least. You will have to remove the upper oil pan to get the timing cover off, well actually I got mine off, I just couldn't get it back on =]

[opponheimer]

3PSI is very bad.. I wouldn't just be worried about rod bearings, I'd worry about main bearings, and cam journals as well.. That motor needs removed and inspected throughly..

You'd want to order the right size bearings and your crank may need turned+polished.. The rods may be fine.. Do everything the right way, rather than the quick way..

[LA_phantom_240]

I have a spare crank from MY ka I had polished about a year back. I also have the rod and main bearings that I never used, because I ended up selling the car before I got a chance to rebuild the motor.

I didn't think about the cam journals, but I'll go ahead and check em out.

I suggested just pulling the motor and doing a complete overhaul, but he is close to broke, I have the right parts, and we have no garage or stand to keep the engine out of the weather.

[Xandy Boosts]

I suggested just pulling the motor and doing a complete overhaul, but he is close to broke, I have the right parts, and we have no garage or stand to keep the engine out of the weather.

I feel ya on having no garage. Sucks living in an apartment and begging people to use their backyard or garage to do a swap.