ROCKERS CAME APART, NEEDLE BEARINGS IN OIL PAN
 

I just bought this 427 small block that had 2 rockers broken off at the mount. (one of the rockers spilled all its needle bearings) most of them were laying on the head. I pulled the oil pan and did find a few in there along with some brass shavings. the motor runs great but is it safe to keep it going with out a complete tear down ?

Re: ROCKERS CAME APART, NEEDLE BEARINGS IN OIL PAN
 

No way would I not pull it apart

Metal shavings in oil pan equal shavings EVERYwhere.....Rip 'er apart....If everything looks good including the bearings, clean VERY well including a block dunk and screw it back together. These little things happen for a reason...you'll probably find something within that would have caused catastrophic engine failure anyway. At the very least you'll know EXACTLY what you have ! :D

Yep it sucks but you HAVE to pull it apart and make sure everything is ok. Throwin a new set of bearings and new gaskets is alot cheaper than tearing stuff up.

Where did the brass come from?

X2,

it might be from the distributor gear, but i would want to know for sure, pull it apart.

JMO

Zip.

rip it apart to be safe
brass could of came from a seat or it might came from the
bushing around the wrist pin

come on cep your a race master

I would not guess at what it went thru I'd be tearing it down to make sure ewverything is ok.... :wink: :wink:

bearings in oil pan update.
 

you guys were right ,I tore down the motor this weekend and discovered serious main bearing damage. Any idea what a machine shop will charge to dip the block, intsall cam bearings, and disassemble / and clean heads for? I have never done any thing this major to a motor before. Thanks for all your help!