Hi I’m new to the forum but have already found it incredibly useful. Around 3 month ago I put a replacement engine in my vx220 due to a slipped big end bearing, unfortunately it is burning a fair amount of oil (around 200 miles per litre). It appears it’s the rings as the majority of the smoking is at higher rpm under load.
I’m planning on next week removing the head and sump. I’ll strip the head down and replace the stem seals, give it a good clean and re-lap the valves. I’ll then pull the pistons and check them out, re-hone the bores, new rings and new big end bearings.
My main question is though is it possible to change the main bearings without removing the crank? I was wondering if once I remove the bearing plate (don’t know the proper name) can I get enough room to remove and fit new ones or will the crank need to come out. I’d rather not remove the engine so if I can’t do it with the engine in place ill just leave them, I just thought if it was easy enough I may as well.
I’ve already done some external mods to try and elevate the oil burning but to no avail. I’ve done the EGR delete and done the CCV bypass mod to. I also piped my fuel pressure regulator into the manifold (due to a K&N cone induction kit) the other day which seems to have made the problem worse.
Any help is much appreciated thanks.