Rebuilding 1996 V6 200hp Looper

[daselbee]

Hello experts...

I need some advice. I see that they are selling caged rod bearings for the piston wrist pin end now, to be used instead of the 33 single needle bearings that the engine was designed with.

Does anyone have any input on using these caged bearings vs. the single needles?

Also, if I go with the 33 single needle bearings, just how difficult is it to assemble the piston to rod without the special tools? Can it be done?

Thanks very much..

Doug

 

[66 joe]

Re: Rebuilding 1996 V6 200hp Looper

rebuilding a 112, good question!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Rebuilding 1996 V6 200hp Looper

At stock, recreational rpm either one will work fine. The full compliment bearings are not that hard to assemble if you have the needle bearing assembly grease. However, nothing is as easy as the caged bearings.

If you are building this as a performance motor and plan on turning over 7000 you'll want to use the caged bearings for sure.

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Rebuilding 1996 V6 200hp Looper

Just rebuilt my 95 150 it was easy (non caged).

First I installed one pin retainer,then I used the assembly greese and installed the bearings into the connecting rod and slid the pin partway in to the piston. Then I slid on the inner bearing retainer (round thingy) then heald the rod in place while pushing the pin through the connecting rod, then the other bearing retainer and finally pushed the pin into the other side of the piston until it contacted the first pin retainer. Then I installed the second pin retainer. The pins are a tight slide into the pistons and I needed no special tools other than my thumb (OEM pistons). Pin retainers were the hardest part.