Hi all. New to here and I need some help. I am considering purchasing my friends 66 Bonneville. She's beautiful, only 86k miles and has one problem. The bearing (sp?) in the crankshaft is rattling and causing a "slight" knock. I've been told I can get a new crankshaft for about $170 but I need to know how complex replacing that part will be. I've heard it's just pulling out the engine and get 'er done but I've also heard it is pretty much a rebuild. The car runs and moves but I'm pretty sure this is something that needs fixed asap so anyone who can help me out here I really appreciate it. I'm supposed to get back with my friend next week. Please use small words and make it a dummy style response b/c I don't know a whole lot of car terminology. Thanks.
-
🔍 Like our community? You can tell Google to show you results from this site more often. Just Click Here and then click the empty checkbox on the right side of our name.
1966 Bonneville Crankshaft
- Thread starter samhayden
- Start date
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,966
- Reaction score
- 740
- Points
- 113
the engine has to be disassembled and the crankshaft journals measured to see if they need to be machined. Depending upon whether or not they need to be machined you then replace all the crankshaft and rod bearings with either standard or oversized bearings. At the same time the pistons bores should be checked and determined if they need to be bored out. basically you are talking about overhauling the engine to do this job correctly. If not doing it yourself it will be expensive.
What does the term "machined" mean?
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,966
- Reaction score
- 740
- Points
- 113
when you disassemble an engine to examine the condition of the connecting rod and main journals on a crankshaft you use a micrometer to determine the amount of wear and out of roundness. Assuming there is wear and out of roundness the crankshaft is sent to a machine shop where they resize the worn journals to the next size available bearing set. I believe you need the car to be checked by a mechanic before buying in order to make sure you are not getting into something that will be more costly than you intend. You are not getting a NEW crankshaft for $170, it is if anything an old crankshaft that has already been machined for different bearings.
______________________________
92 Sunbird LE
Well-known member
I might add that a rod end that spun could become out of round also and would have to be remachined and or replaced to get it round again to fit a new bearing.
I have done what you are saying in the first post, ( just get a "crank kit") but my spun rod bearings had not damaged the rod(s) and the rest of the engine was in fine condition cause I stopped running it as soon as there was a knocking rod.
If it has run a long time in this condition, then metal particles has gone through the whole engine had could have damaged other bearings and parts that cause low oil pressure and would require a complete rebuild or crate engine replacement.
Have your friend get it fixed correctly or take the repair amount out of the purchase price.
Hope this helps.................
Doug in P.R.
I have done what you are saying in the first post, ( just get a "crank kit") but my spun rod bearings had not damaged the rod(s) and the rest of the engine was in fine condition cause I stopped running it as soon as there was a knocking rod.
If it has run a long time in this condition, then metal particles has gone through the whole engine had could have damaged other bearings and parts that cause low oil pressure and would require a complete rebuild or crate engine replacement.
Have your friend get it fixed correctly or take the repair amount out of the purchase price.
Hope this helps.................
Doug in P.R.
Last edited: