HAS ANY1 EVER JUST CHANGED THE SHELLS ON THE BOTTOM END???? i fear that my shells have gone as long as there is no damage to the crank can i just change the shells????

 

as long as theres NO damage to the crank and the con rod which I doubt tbh then yes if you've been lucky! BUT I'd need to find out why it started knocking in the 1st place ie lack of oil/oil pressure which would mean a change of oil pump also!

 

thanks for your reply mate, the engine has done 167,000 miles and has been maitained regardless of cost. Everything has been changed on the car all the crank seals oil pump everything, do you think it could have happened with age??? bcoz thats all i can put it down to

 

the shells were knocking for a while, If the shells go that would cause no oil pressure. The car was running fine and then it just lost oil pressure suddenly, the pump has done very low miles and the shells are all i can put it down too. What shall i look for to determine weather the crank is damaged or not???? shall i just remove the shells and see if where they sit on the crank is still smooth?????

 

if its done 167000 miles mate the crank wants coming out and checking for size and ovalaty then regrinding or polishing at the very least, because if you don't next time you come across a type R again your going to wish you had when it goes bang!

 

lol, i have just seen the shells and they are gone (they are a coppery colour). To the naked eye the crank looks perfect and no swarf was in the sump and no scoring at all. I know it is a dodgy one but i want to change the big end ones iswell then put it all back togeather and pray everything is o.k. I know alot of people give there cars in when this happens and i know alot of garages just change the shells and charge for a reground crank. I have spoke to a couple of tuners and they said i should get away with changing the shells but i must change my cam as that would have suffered when the oil pressure light came on.

 

Just take the crank to be measured at an engineering shop, as the polish or regrind is not expensive and will save you wasting money on shells if it is needed, Mine had not worn the bearings out but when checked was afew thou oval so had it ground -0.25 I think the crank grind only cost about Ł55, only a 3rd of the bearing costs, so wouldn't advise just changing them without checking first. And also my engine had only done 60k.

 

whilst your on with changing the shells etc i would put a new oil pump in just to be on the safe side.unless You have proof it was just recently done

 

thanks for your advice guys, i think i will get the crank out then. Yep i done the pump myself about 2,000 miles ago mate, i have owned the car for 5 years now.
thanks again chaps