New member of the spun bearing club

[impulsive6791]

Hey guys just joined this club how sweet is it haha?! (have to laugh so I don't cry) Well after 156,000 miles the engine finally gave up. I tried very hard to prevent this but for some reason it went ahead and spun. So know I'm on to doing an engine rebuild. My one question is while it was happening my oil pressure got real low at stop lights but when I left the stop light it would pick up. So could oil pump be part of the problem? It's new oem only 500 miles on it. But anywho anyone have stickers for the SB club?!

[Igovert500]

That blows, sorry to hear

[blindmist]

Hey guys just joined this club how sweet is it haha?! (have to laugh so I don't cry) Well after 156,000 miles the engine finally gave up. I tried very hard to prevent this but for some reason it went ahead and spun. So know I'm on to doing an engine rebuild. My one question is while it was happening my oil pressure got real low at stop lights but when I left the stop light it would pick up. So could oil pump be part of the problem? It's new oem only 500 miles on it. But anywho anyone have stickers for the SB club?!

Very well could be, but this could just be the bearing had already spun, you just couldnt hear it yet. Welcome to the club, at least it didnt take your block out like it did mine. I had the rod go through the back of the block. No rebuilding that.

[ChargerX3]

What a terrible club to be associated with!

[First VR4]

I'm curious, was your oilpan dented? Sorry to hear you joined a club like that!
Luckily for me I took my car to Pampena's and they checked my car out to discover I had a dented oilpan along with the engine starting to knock. Ray said if I brought the car back to him in the same condition it was, he could change the bearings and polish the crank and all would be fine. I decided to leave my car there and take a train home to pick the car up the following weekend. Man am I glad I brought my car to them. My oil pressure is like new again!

[Jeffwvr4]

If your bearings are severly worn, the oil pressure will drop like that. The pump is probably not the culprit.

[Fletch]

BAH, I hate that club and am hoping to never join it.
I am curious to First VR-4's question:
Was you oil pan dented?

[impulsive6791]

Nope. No dents in the oil pan. I checked that and fluid levels almost everyday trying to avoid this. I think it was just old age of the bearings. But on to the rebuild. I plan on going with pmp stage 4 built block, getting my heads ported, 3sx oil cooler kit, oem head bolts, solid motor mounts, vss, and 3rd gen lifters. Anything else I'm missing?

[CoreyB]

The pump wasnt likely the culprit but is a casualty, I wouldnt reuse it without a close inspection. The bearing material goes everywhere when you spin on, the pump sees a lot of it.

[impulsive6791]

So get a oil pump as well?

[CoreyB]

Yeah, along with a lot of stuff. Just finished rebuilding my spun bearing VR4 a few weeks ago.
Crank, New or reground
mininum 1 rod
new rings
oil pump
complete gasket kit with MLS head gaskets
New or flushed oil cooler (TT)
Complete timing component kit
Water pump.
Might be missing something but you get the idea.

[impulsive6791]

Ya. Wellthw pmp 4 stage block comes with polished forged crank. Paueter rods, cp pistons and I'm going to port my heads, put in third gen lifters, new valve stem seals, and then do new oil cooler kit, and full gasket kit, also going to look at oil pump and water pump, and put in solid motor mounts. So that's the game plan. Hoping to start disassembly this evening on the car.

[Atrosity]

One club I don't want to join. I need to fix my dent before it is too late. :P

[CoreyB]

Ya. Wellthw pmp 4 stage block comes with polished forged crank. Paueter rods, cp pistons and I'm going to port my heads, put in third gen lifters, new valve stem seals, and then do new oil cooler kit, and full gasket kit, also going to look at oil pump and water pump, and put in solid motor mounts. So that's the game plan. Hoping to start disassembly this evening on the car.

With that kind of money dont even bother opening your pump to look at it. Its only $180 for a new OEM pump.

[Fletch]

^ agree with CoreyB and would you really want to chance a used pump that was in a spun bearing engine? For that extra $200 you have peace of mind, and for your build that is cheap insurance.

Do not skimp if you can afford not to, well that is what I have done.

[CoreyB]

When I built my engine I skimped in areas that were not reconmended, Such as using a reground forged crank, replacing the rod with a used OEM piston and rod combo but would not sacrifice using a used oil pump. Next to the crank it is the heart and soul of your build. I realize you already stated you would buy one I just want you to know even a cheap guy like me highly reconmends it.

[berndern15gto]

What oil were you using..