FMD liner seal change

1. Should I renew the connecting rod bearing inserts? If so, is there anything else to be considered than just put the new bearings in and bolt it back together? For example, will the clearances be automatically OK with the new inserts (assuming the crankpin and conrod specs are within acceptable range)?

2. I found that there is a dent in the oil suction pipe just under the #4 cylinder. The only cause that I can think of is that the previous owner has somehow reinstalled the oil sump (or the bottom inspection plate?) so that the end of the oil pipe didn"t meet the suction screen hole and the oil pipe was bent upwards. There is a dent in the screen cover too. The result was that the #4 connecting rod came into contact with the oil pipe making the dent into it. With a bit of imagination you can see a mark in the corresponding conrod bolt. I have no idea if any other damage was done. Could this be what happened? That seems to be hard to believe since the oil pipe doesn"t seem too flexible and it is straight for what I can see. Maybe they repaired it later? There is no actual hole in where the dent is but the material is thinner. Would this cause problems later or should I try to locate new oil pipe somewhere? Or to repair (weld?) the old one?

3. Is there anything else to be considered during the process (that might not be told in the I&T shop manual)?

Sorry about the long questions.

I don't see a lot of point in applying weld if it is not holed. It would have been pretty bent if that is what had been done so I would think that another pipe was fitted.

I am not a great fan of the I&T manuals. they tend to leave out a lot of stuff that is in the Ford manual. The Ford books contain service letters which detailed the changes in the engines over the years. But the I&T books are better than no books at all. The engine is pretty simple and rugged so you can do little harm if you follow basic principles of cleanliness, lubricate things well as you replace them, like the bearings, pistons etc. I tend to use Moly Grease on the crank bearings as I replace them and plenty of oil round the piston rings and a little on the top of the piston before refitting the head.

If you have the composite head gasket, do not use gasket sealer. Use a couple of bolts with the heads cut off as guides when you refit the head. This will hold the gasket in place and not let the head wriggle on it when you lower it down.

You may also consider a complete engine overhaul now you are this far in. I had to do one of mine a few weeks ago and this was the best way out.

Good luck.

What do you think of the other questions? All answers would be greatly appreciated.